Leeds sign Ethan Ampadu on a four-year deal from Chelsea

Leeds have signed Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu for an undisclosed fee.

The versatile Welshman, 22, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Elland Road.

For the past four seasons, the youngster has been on various loans, most recently at Spezia in Serie A.

Prior to that, he spent time at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, and Venezia.

Ampadu joined the Blues in the summer of 2017 from his home-town club, Exeter City, and was, bizarrely, the longest-serving senior player left at the club, discounting youth academy products like Trevoh Chalobah, who debuted in 2021. Mail Sport reported on Monday that Leeds had made an offer for him.

He only made 12 appearances in total for the Londoners, however, and will be hoping to gain more English football experience by dipping his toes in Championship waters.

Ampadu, who can play as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, was not thought to be involved in new manager Mauricio Pochettino's plans for their upcoming campaign.

Leeds are in the process of undergoing an overhaul following both their relegation from the Premier League and their sale to new owners the 49ers Enterprises.

Even at his age, he is something of a grizzled international veteran, having made 44 appearances and featured in the Euro 2022 and 2022 World Cup campaigns.

His arrival on the international scene in 2017 was fortuitously timed, with the Dragons enjoying a fruitful spell. Before finishing third at the 2016 Euros, Wales had not qualified for a major tournament since 1958.