Football League World
·20 January 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFootball League World
·20 January 2024
Sam Byram is keen to extend his stay with Leeds United beyond his current contract.
The defender made his return to Elland Road last summer, signing a 12-month deal with the Championship side following their relegation to the second division.
Byram has become an important member of Daniel Farke’s side, featuring 21 times from the team’s opening 27 games.
A lack of defensive cover has made the left-back an even more integral part of the side, with a lack of options becoming a big issue for the promotion-chasing club.
It has been reported that a new left-back is a priority signing for the Whites, which will not come as a surprise to supporters.
Byram’s current Leeds contract is set to expire at the end of this season, but the defender has claimed he wants to put pen to paper on a new deal.
The 30-year-old has opened up on how happy he is to be back playing with the Yorkshire outfit, having initially departed in 2016.
“I’d love to [stay here longer],” said Byram, via KageyVision on YouTube.
“Me and my partner are very settled. It’s home, family and friends.
“A huge club.
“I’d love to stay, you can never guess the future.
“Just got to keep playing and see what happens.”
Byram came through the ranks of the Leeds academy system, becoming a key part of the team before his departure to West Ham in 2016.
He made 130 appearances across three-and-a-half seasons in the Championship, leading to his move to the top flight with the Hammers.
The defender was unable to cement himself as a first team regular with the London club, making the switch to Norwich City in 2019 after a brief spell with Nottingham Forest on loan.
Byram returned to Leeds as a free agent last summer, with the club aiming to gain promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Farke’s side is currently fourth in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
The Whites have won both of their first two league games of 2024, with the team hoping to close the gap to second place Ipswich Town.
Ipswich face leaders Leicester City on Monday evening, which gives Leeds the chance to close the gap to the top two when they face Preston North End on Sunday.
Byram has performed well for Leeds and has proven a very shrewd signing.
Given the club’s lack of options at left-back, agreeing a new deal with the experienced defender makes a lot of sense.
Even if a fresh face arrives in January or the summer, keeping Byram in the squad still works out as he could still be quite strong competition for any new signing.