Who is Ethan Ampadu? Get to know the £7m Leeds United star signed from Chelsea

Ethan Ampadu is a professional football player who plays as a defender and a midfielder for Leeds United.

Ampadu joined Leeds in July 2023 from Premier League outfit Chelsea, with a transfer fee agreed for an initial £7million payment.

Since moving to Elland Road, the Welsh international has been a key figure in whichever versatile role he plays.

With a permanent club to call home after years of loan spells, Ampadu could cement himself as an important player in the Leeds squad for the present and the future.

So with that said, here is a look inside the life of Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu.

READ MORE: Leeds United’s 10 most expensive transfer signings of all time, including £18m mix up

Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images

Ethan Ampadu age

Ampadu was born on September 14th, 2000, which makes him 23 years old at the time of writing.

Ampadu’s height

Ethan Ampadu’s height is approximately six feet and zero inches tall (183cm), which gives him a physical presence in the defensive unit as well as the midfield.

Where is Ethan Ampadu from?

Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu was born in Exeter, which is located on the south-west coast of England.

Branded a wonderkid in his early years, he came through the ranks at Exeter City, making his debut at just 15 years old before joining Premier League giants Chelsea.

What position does Ampadu play?

Ethan Ampadu is a versatile football player, capable of playing many different positions on the pitch if required.

Under Leeds boss Daniel Farke, the Welsh international has featured as a centre-back and a central midfielder.

There have also been some spells at right-back for Ampadu, displaying the quality he has across the pitch.

Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images

Ethan Ampadu’s squad number

Ethan Ampadu is the current number four for Leeds United, taking that squad role when he joined the club in 2023.

It’s a shirt number that is steeped in history, previously worn by Leeds United legends, such as Adam Forshaw, Billy Bremner, Eddie Gray and Don Revie.

It’s the second time in his career that Ampadu has taken the number four shirt, having worn that at Spezia Calcio on loan.

The midfielder has also worn the number 44 at Chelsea and Venezia, 22 at Sheffield United, 26 at RB Leipzig and the numbers 26 and 27 at Exeter City.

Who are the parents of Ethan Ampadu?

Parents play a key role in the life of any young footballer and Ethan Ampadu is no different.

His father, Patrick Kwame Ampadu, was also a professional football who featured in midfield for Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City and Exeter City.

The younger Ampadu was eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland and Ghana on the international stage through his father’s links.

The English national team was also an option, with appearances made at the under-16s level before making the switch to the Welsh national team – which he is eligible for due to his Welsh mother.

Ethan Ampadu’s haircut

One standout feature of Ethan Ampadu early in his career was his hairstyle, rocking long dreads that caught the attention.

The haircut was something of a trademark for the youngster, but he eventually trimmed it to the curled style he currently has.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Ampadu to Leeds transfer

Leeds United completed the transfer of Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea in July 2023 as part of a rebuild following relegation to the Championship.

The Whites paid an initial £7million fee, according to The Athletic, with another £3million in add-ons that could see the deal rise to £10million.

Ampadu’s contract runs until the summer of 2027, with a club option of an extra year that could see him stay until 2028.

Leeds United Player of the Year 2023/24

Ethan Ampadu impressed in his first season with Leeds United, receiving the Player of the Year award for 2023/24.

The midfielder joins the likes of three-time winner Pablo Hernandez, Gordon Strachan and Eddie Gray in landing the award.

Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images