Gary McAllister welcomes Elland Road expansion and upgrade | OneFootball

Elland Road is undergoing a major expansion this summer, with Leeds United great Gary McAllister welcoming a much-needed upgrade to the iconic ground.

“There were talks about moving away from Elland Road - I'm so glad they haven't,” McAllister said. “I'm really pleased that they're staying at Elland Road. “I've seen the pictures. Amazing. In all honesty, Elland Road is a bit tired at the moment. It needs help. So, I'm really excited to see the new stadium, but it definitely needs it.” The former midfielder was speaking to BetSelect.

Work is under way to lift capacity from around 37,000 to 53,000 and to reach UEFA Category 4. The project also upgrades facilities with a sharper focus on the matchday experience.

Plans extend beyond the stands, including a mass transit link and up to 2,500 affordable homes around the stadium.

Midfielder Ilia Gruev has referenced the expansion in a recent interview with former club Werder Bremen, while 49ers Enterprises aim to keep improving on and off the pitch. They are expected to strengthen Daniel Farke’s squad again this summer, having invested around £100million after Championship promotion. Chairman Paraag Marathe has said arrivals must improve the starting XI rather than add only depth.

The expansion will increase revenue streams significantly, a key factor under the Premier League’s new Squad Cost Ratio. “The owners see it as a big city club. They're going to build a stadium that befits the whole city, and it's really exciting. Leeds is one of the clubs that would attract players simply because the atmosphere at the stadium is pretty special.”

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk