Leeds United took their first significant strides towards the upcoming season by unveiling their list of retained players on a Friday afternoon.

The club made clear decisions on who will be staying at Elland Road and who will be departing, with a few unexpected choices in the mix.

Despite initial speculations of Liam Cooper’s potential exit, ongoing talks for a new contract are in progress for both him and Jamie Shackleton, yet no agreements have been reached.

Cody Drameh has also been presented with a contract extension, primarily to secure compensation upon his eventual transfer to another club. His departure is still on the cards.

Expectedly, Lewis Bate and Ian Poveda have been formally released, despite their noteworthy loan spells at MK Dons and Sheffield Wednesday during the latter part of the season.

The announcement of the retained list marks the beginning of a busy summer for Leeds, hinting at numerous crucial decisions ahead.

The full-back position is set to undergo reinforcement in the upcoming weeks, with Connor Roberts returning to Burnley and Junior Firpo’s future uncertainties.

One player whose future has been clarified is Sam Byram, alleviating some concerns for Leeds in terms of right-back reinforcements.

Byram, whose contract was expiring this month, earned a one-year extension due to his significant contributions last season. His performance merits this renewal among the out-of-contract first-team players.

Expressing his joy on Instagram, Byram stated, “Absolutely delighted to extend my stay here for another year. I can’t wait to fight for this team again to help the club get back to where we belong. See you all soon.”

Acknowledged as a valued part of the team, Byram received positive reactions from teammates like Ethan Ampadu and Roberts following the news.

While Byram’s extension adds depth for the upcoming season, Leeds must diversify their defensive options and not solely rely on him due to his injury record in recent years.

Despite his utility, Leeds still need to recruit new full-backs for both sides of the pitch, potentially positioning Byram as a backup on either flank.

In essence, Byram’s extension is a prudent move considering the experience he brings, especially during a summer marked by several departures from the dressing room.