Wilfried Gnonto has explained the reasons behind his decision to sign a new contract with Leeds United.
Gnonto has signed a new four-year deal at Elland Road, a huge sign of his commitment to the club after a whirlwind 12 months personally.
The 20-year-old saw the departures of two of his closest friends in Crysencia Summerville and Georginia Rutter this summer, which many thought would push him towards the exit door.
But despite a £23million bid from Everton, Gnonto has stayed up and looks like he could well take over as Leeds’ main man this season.
Gnont’s new deal certainly puts all the antics of the 12 months behind him and hopefully it won’t be long before he’s back in the Premier League as a Leeds player.
Gnonto explains the reasons for the new Leeds deal
Gnonto spoke to LUTV about his decision to sign a new deal and it certainly seems he believes he has something to prove after last season.
It wasn’t until around February and onwards that Gnonto was able to really establish himself in the campaign as he struggled to get Summerville or Dan James off the team.
Gnonto finished the season with a total of eight league goals, but having already scored and playing in his best position on the left, he should comfortably surpass that tally.
And considering his commitment to the club, Gnonto believes Leeds is the best place for him to find that “consistency” he may have lacked last season, while describing it as his “second home”.
He said: “I’ve been here for two years, going into my third season, I’m really happy to be here. It’s felt like my second home from the start and I’ve really enjoyed it here. The club’s ambitions I see my the future.
“There’s been a lot of ups and downs and going into this season I think it’s important to find some consistency. I feel like the right place for that is here, so I’m really happy and I can’t wait to continue.”
Does Gnonto have a release clause?
Release clauses were once again the talk of Leeds’ transfer window, after eight players went out on loan last summer following relegation.
Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter also left Elland Road this summer, with Leeds reducing those departures to previously inserted release clauses.
And so any new contract handed out now will be focused on whether the 49ers have included release clauses in it.