Ethan Ampadu can achieve his Leeds United 'end goal' before 2030
Ethan Ampadu wants to see Leeds United qualify for European football before his latest contract extension concludes in 2030.
The Wales international penned a new four-year deal to with Leeds last week, in what could be the best bit of business the Whites do this summer.
After a stellar 2025-26 campaign, the Elland Road faithful were desperately hoping the midfielder would commit his future to the club ASAP.
Now that he's done so, Ampadu is looking towards an exciting future at Leeds: one that he hopes sees him leading the team to a European tour.
And if Daniel Farke's side continue on the trajectory they're currently enjoying, then that's not an outlandish target to set by any means.
If Leeds do get there, then there won't be anyone more deserving of basking in that glory than Ampadu either.
What did Ethan Ampadu say on Leeds in Europe?
Stagnation is never the aim for any football club, especially ones the size of Leeds United.
Therefore, Farke's men will kick-off the 2026-27 campaign with a clear aim of building on their 14th-placed Premier League finish from last term.
Just how far the German can take Leeds, nobody yet knows, but speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Ampadu is sure of where he wants to go with the Whites.
Now locked in at Leeds until the summer of 2030, the 25-year-old wants to see European football being played at Elland Road by then.
“That’s the end goal (qualifying for Europe), that’s what we want to do, that’s what we’re all striving for,” the Leeds skipper said.
“There’s a lot of hard work to get us to that point, which we’re all aware of and we’re all relishing. It’s definitely something we should enjoy trying to do.”
How long do Leeds need to compete for Europe?
2002 was the last time that Leeds played European football when they competed in the UEFA Cup, or what is now known as the Europa League.
Ever since then, Whites fans have been dreaming about seeing their team back on the continental stage: a place that many feel they belong.
This Leeds team has a big chance of doing exactly that, with their newly-promoted rivals Sunderland showing them the path back to a seat at the European table.
And, with a strong defence, a midfield comprised of flair, steel and tireless energy, capped off with a double-digit striker in Dominic Calvert-Lewin; the ingredients are there.
So, if Leeds get a handful of upgrades in positions of need and some quality signings through the door this summer, why can't European qualification be on the menu in 2026-27?
Leeds don't need long at all to realise Ampadu's dream, and the sheer volume of clubs ahead of them undergoing managerial changes offers the potential for another weak European race next term as well.