A host of improvements are being made to Elland Road, home of Leeds United, after the English Championship football club recently retook ownership of the stadium.
Leeds confirmed last month that it had bought back the ground, which it had been forced to sell in 2004 to help reduce debts following relegation from the top-tier Premier League.
Financial details of the buy-back agreement were not disclosed, but Leeds said in a statement that Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd, the Aser Group Holding company and the club’s parent company, had completed the deal.
New Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani highlighted the purchase of the stadium as one of his main priorities after assuming control of Leeds, and the club has wasted no time in upgrading the 37,000-seat ground.
The Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP) newspaper reports that Leeds has been working closely with city-based agency The Works on building and design work. The West Stand interior is being upgraded, along with dressing rooms and hospitality spaces.
Sections of the ground will also be rebranded to celebrate past and present players. The YEP said this new branding would be unveiled on August 12 ahead of Leeds’ first home league game of the season against Preston North End.
Leeds’ new managing director, Angus Kinnear, told the YEP: “Whilst we’re building for sustainable success with our key focus remaining on sensible financial management, we knew we wanted to give back to the fans as well.
“We felt it was important that our home should honour our heritage, celebrate our first team squad and make loyal and passionate fans proud on match days.”
A new hospitality experience, entitled The Legends Club, will also be introduced in the East Stand this season.
Leeds, which finished seventh in the Championship last season, is still said to require planning permission for some of the development work at Elland Road.
Image: Auz
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