According to Tuttomercatoweb, Elia Caprile is set to extend his contract at Leeds United. The young goalkeeper has agreed personal terms over a new deal that will keep him at Elland Road until 2024. It serves as a massive boost for Leeds United, who had recently sanctioned the loan departure of the experienced Kiko Casilla to Elche.
Elia Caprile’s Progress At Leeds United
A native of Verona, Elia Caprile is a product of the Chievo youth academy. His rise to prominence in the Italian club was already well documented, with the youngster notably gaining promotion to the senior side in the summer of 2019, at the age of only 17.
However, Caprile didn’t make his senior debut, eventually moving to Leeds United in January 2020 for an undisclosed fee. He spent the remainder of the campaign with the club’s reserve side, as the Whites senior team gained promotion to the Premier League.
Although the 19-year-old wasn’t given a promotion to the senior side last summer, he was elevated as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, behind Kiko Casilla and Illan Meslier. Caprile did not appear in a single competitive game, but he was a first-choice regular for the reserve side that won the Elite Development League.
Indeed, the Italian made 18 appearances in Premier League 2, securing five clean sheets and conceding just 24 goals. His performances kept the former Ajax talent Dani van den Heuvel on the bench, with Caprile evidently favoured by Marcelo Bielsa.
Does He Have Any Future At The Club
Leeds United’s defensive unit is going through a change. Especially in the goalkeeping department, the club recently shipped out Casilla on loan to Elche, effectively getting rid of one of the most experienced players in the team.
In his stead, the Yorkshire giants brought in Kristoffer Klaesson from Valerenga. The young Norwegian boasts immense potential, having been a regular for his former club. He is set to serve as the deputy for Meslier, but given his lack of experience at the highest level of football, it won’t be surprising to see Klaesson struggle to live up to the expectations.
That is where Elia Caprile could find himself to be in an advantageous situation. He already has experience in English football for almost two years and had starred for the reserve side last season. It gives him the upper hand over Klaesson, potentially opening up an avenue for the Italian to become the ideal alternative for Meslier, especially in case the Norwegian fails to deliver next season.
A contract extension, therefore, should be well within the interest of the two parties involved.
