Barry Douglas and Leeds players react to club’s latest move on Instagram

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Just a day after the club announced the extension of Marcelo Bielsa’s contract at Leeds, the club have announced a new deal for Illan Meslier. The French goalkeeper has put pen to paper on a deal until 2026. Barry Douglas and a handful of Leeds players applauded Meslier on Instagram.

Meslier, 21, was sensational for Leeds last season. Initially joining the club during the promotion season of 2019-20, he established himself as number one. He broke two Joe Hart records – becoming the youngest goalkeeper to reach 10 Premier League clean sheets.

The £5million signing is also now the player with most clean sheets before the age of 21 – both previously Hart records. He ended with stats of 11 clean sheets in 35 games, conceding 52 goals. The Leeds hierarchy believe that was enough to tie Meslier down – and the goalkeeper posted on Instagram.

Meslier signs new deal: Douglas and Leeds players react on Instagram

It is a deal that is well deserved for Meslier. Having made a few mistakes in the first half of the season, notably against Manchester United and Arsenal, he improved in the second half. Becoming more confident from crosses, more decisive in possession – his shot-stopping has always been excellent.

Give his age, his resale value is likely to be enormous having broken records in the Premier League. So, sorting his long-term future makes sense. Leeds players Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Robin Koch were among those to react – as was Douglas, who has moved to old side Lech Poznan.