BREATHTAKING NEWS: Leeds United finally Extend the Contract of Loanee whose Elland Road future was full of doubts….. Yet another positive step by Daniel Farke ahead of January Transfer window.
Cody Drameh, who joined Leeds United from Fulham in August 2020 for a reported fee of around £350,000, spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Birmingham City, where he made 30 appearances across all competitions. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent Birmingham from being relegated to League One on the final day of the campaign.
Since arriving at Elland Road, Drameh has struggled to break into the first team, making only 10 senior appearances for the Whites. While he initially showed promise in the Under-21 side, first-team opportunities have been limited for the young defender. Last season, under manager Daniel Farke, Drameh played a mere 21 minutes of Championship football before being loaned out to Birmingham in September.
Despite his limited prospects at Leeds, the club has offered Drameh a new contract, along with three other players – Harry Christy, Joseph Snowdon, and Luca Thomas. This decision, particularly in Drameh’s case, appears to be motivated by financial considerations. As Drameh is under the age of 24, Leeds United would be entitled to receive compensation from any club that signs him this summer.
Typically, clubs negotiate a fee for such players, but if an agreement cannot be reached, the matter could be resolved by a tribunal. While it seems unlikely that Drameh’s future lies at Elland Road, the new contract offer ensures that Leeds will be in a position to secure a financial return from his departure.
This move highlights the club’s strategic approach to managing player assets, ensuring they receive due compensation for their young talents, even as they transition to new opportunities elsewhere.