How Sam Byram feels about staying at Leeds United revealed after promotion | OneFootball

The experienced defender has been speaking on his Whites future after the club's promotion to the Premier League.

Sam Byram has revealed that he would "love" to stay at Leeds United for another season after the club's promotion to the Premier League has been secured.

The 31-year-old defender has been associated with Leeds United for six seasons, having graduated from the club's Thorp Arch academy system back in 2012.

After spending three-and-a-half years at Elland Road between the summer of 2012-January 2016, the full-back would depart for West Ham United in a deal worth a reported £3.7m.

However, after spells with Nottingham Forest and Norwich City in the following years, Byram would eventually return to Leeds in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer, penning a one-year contract.

"Hopefully" - Sam Byram reveals desire to remain a Leeds United player next season

Following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, a 12-month extension option was triggered in Byram's contract, meaning he'd have his chance to play a part in the club's promotion bid this term.

However, with the curtain now having fallen on Leeds' memorable 100-point, Championship title-winning campaign, the defender is currently heading for the free agent market this summer with his contract set to expire on 30 June.

But, in a recent interview with The Athletic, Byram has revealed that he wants to remain at Elland Road for at least another season.

He said: "We’ve been working as a team to achieve promotion. That’s been the key focus.

"I’ve not hidden my love for the club and I’d love to stay next year. They know that.

"Now we’ve achieved the final target, I’m sure they’ll speak as a team, investors, everyone, and make a plan for the future. Hopefully, I’m part of that, and, if not, I’ll watch on and always be a supporter."

Sam Byram has proven his worth to Leeds United this season

He may not be the flashiest player in Leeds United's squad, but on many occasions this season, Byram has proven himself to be a highly important one.

Capable of playing at either full-back position, as well as having the ability to play in central defence and even midfield if required, the versatile defender can provide cover at a host of different positions.

At 31, he's also one of the more experienced heads in Daniel Farke's squad, with those players who've been there and done it across numerous levels like Byram has done during his career, always proving to be worth their weight in gold from an experience perspective.

Leeds will also have Premier League registration quotas to consider this summer too, with clubs required to have a minimum of eight homegrown players registered in their squads.

Signing Byram to a contract extension would obviously help Leeds in that regard as well. As such, handing him fresh terms would surely have numerous benefits for the club.

Regardless of that, Byram has vital Premier League experience under his belt, and with Leeds' strength in depth at full-back perhaps not being as deep as other areas of the squad, keeping him around for another year could prove to be a highly shrewd move by the club.

Should he hit the free agent market, however, then there would surely be a host of Championship clubs vying for his signature.