Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi thanked the club for offering him a new one-year contract despite his long knee injury
Berardi could be sidelined until next April after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in Leeds’ victory at Derby in last season’s penultimate game
It was a blow to the 32-year-old Swiss, whose previous contract expired this summer after Leeds sealed the promotion to the Premier League
« It’s a good feeling, » Berardi said on the club’s official website after signing his new deal. « Of course it’s not the best situation with me and the injury and also for the club. sign a player like me right now
« So that’s a good feeling for me and I’m happy about that and I would like to thank the club for that
« I hope the club felt my contribution to do so and in my opinion, this is the greatest motivation »
Berardi, very popular among Leeds fans for his totally engaged approach to the game, played 22 times for the club during their campaign to be the Sky Bet Championship champion
He is currently Leeds’ longest-serving first-team player, having made 155 appearances in all competitions since arriving from Sampdoria in the summer of 2014
« I’m trying here to recuperate and take my time, but in my head I’m sure I’ll be in good shape in time to have a chance to train with the guys and do my best », said the right-back, who can also operate in central defense
« I want to have a big role in the team, to play or not to play, at the moment I am going about my job in a different way and I think the team knows that »
Berardi’s new deal, which keeps him at Elland Road at least until next summer, was announced the same day left-back Barry Douglas was loaned to Blackburn
Leeds director of football Victor Orta wrote an open letter paying tribute to Douglas, who has struggled to claim his left-back position since joining Wolves in 2018 for a undisclosed amount
Boss Marcelo Bielsa has said he chose to play Stuart Dallas, Ezgjan Alioski and Leif Davis ahead of the Scotland international
« These are decisions I have to make », said Bielsa « For me they were very difficult Douglas deserved to play for Leeds and he gave everything to achieve it
« I couldn’t help him enough to consolidate himself in our team He’s a player who made a big effort and I regret a little that he was not able to triumph with us «
Leeds United, Marcelo Bielsa, Premier League, EFL Championship
News from the world – GB – Grateful Gaetano Berardi feels good after Leeds rewards Switzerland with new deal
