Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Fri 3 April 2026 16:10, UK

Karl Darlow is waiting to find out whether he will be handed a new Leeds United contract.

The goalkeeper has become Daniel Farke‘s undisputed No 1 at Elland Road despite starting the campaign as back-up, and he has seized his opportunity with both hands.

Darlow has enhanced his reputation for both club and country, having cemented his spot between the sticks for Wales on their path to World Cup heartbreak last month.

Lucas Perri was recruited in the summer in a £14million deal but has now been consigned to the bench, with his 35-year-old rival likely to stay ahead of him until at least May.

Beyond that, Darlow’s future at Leeds is unclear as his deal ticks down.

When does Karl Darlow’s Leeds contract expire?

Despite the custodian keeping just three Premier League clean sheets in LS11 since his promotion, Darlow has played a crucial role in Leeds’ survival bid.

Regardless, the club’s stance on handing him a new deal is no clearer.

As it stands, the former Newcastle United man is set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, three years on from arriving from St James’ Park.

He joined in a bargain deal worth around £400,000 and has gone on to repay every penny. Indeed, his contribution will be priceless if he can keep Leeds up over the coming weeks.

His terms, however, will run down on June 30, after the conclusion of the campaign, and there is no guarantee that the hierarchy will choose to hand him an extension.

It is also not known if talks have stepped up as the deadline looms.

Daniel Farke unsure about Darlow

What is certain is that Farke has never appeared overly convinced by Darlow.

It can be argued that he did not force his way back into the starting XI, but rather Perri left the door gaping open after a string of high-profile errors shortly after his arrival.

In January, Farke appeared to hint that he had wanted a new stopper. Several months prior, he had signed Perri because he did not believe Darlow was solid enough to start every week.

There is no prospect of the 28-year-old being sold already, with any deal to incur a PSR loss, but he is unlikely to want to stay as second fiddle when the next campaign rolls around.

As a result, Farke has a very awkward decision to make over both of their futures.