Eleven Leeds United exits confirmed with secret extension triggered and key contract talks ongoing

Eleven players will wave goodbye to Leeds United at the end of the month as their contracts expire, while Sam Byram has triggered a one-year extension and Liam Cooper remains in talks about his next steps. Jamie Shackleton is another player whose future remains up in the air, while Cody Drameh has been offered new terms after spending the final year of his contract out on loan.

United have published their retained list with confirmation Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Ian Poveda and Lewis Bate are among those who have played their last games in white. Formal confirmation Jaidon Anthony, Connor Roberts and Joe Rodon will return to their parent clubs after loan stays is included in the announcement too.

Cooper and Shackleton will see their contracts expire in 23 days. Leeds want to retain them, but it will be the players who decide whether they are likely to get the game time they desire under Daniel Farke next term.

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Byram triggered a 12-month extension on the one-year deal he signed last summer by hitting a pre-agreed number of appearances in 23/24. The 30-year-old made 33 league outings last term and could be the second-oldest player in the squad come July 1 if Cooper moves on.

Drameh is the other eye-catching decision in the announcement. The 22-year-old has long been heralded as United’s long-term right-back of the future, but impressive loan spells away have clashed with limited opportunities in LS11 and below-par performances in white.

A season-long loan move to Birmingham City last summer, without a contract extension at Leeds, was seen as the beginning of the end for Drameh in West Yorkshire. By offering him fresh terms, Leeds have ensured, if Drameh signs elsewhere, they will be due compensation because he is under 24-years-old.

A Leeds statement said: “We would like to express our thanks to those players who will leave the club in the coming weeks and wish them well for the future.”

Retained list in full:

The following player has triggered a one-year extension clause within his contract:

Sam Byram

The following players will be released when their contracts expire:

Charlie Allen

Luke Ayling

Lewis Bate

Keenan Carole

Stuart Dallas

Cuba Diboe

Scott Godden

Ian Poveda

Morten Spencer

Harvey Sutcliffe

Dani van den Heuvel

The following players have been offered new contracts by the club:

Harry Christy

Cody Drameh

Joseph Snowdon

Luca Thomas

The club is in talks with the following players about extending their contracts:

Liam Cooper

Jamie Shackleton

The following players will return to their parent clubs following the conclusion of their loans:

Jaidon Anthony

Connor Roberts

Joe Rodon

The following scholars have been offered a professional contract:

Connor Douglas

Reuben Lopata-White

Joseph Richards

Daniel Toulson

Marley Wilson

The following scholar has had a third-year scholarship option activated:

Oscar Dawber