Andrea Radrizzani has sent a tweet to Gaetano Berardi after Leeds handed the defender a new one-year contract to extend his stay at Elland Road.
The Leeds chief wrote: ‘Welcome back! (Oops you never left) very soon you will be back showing what means being @LUFC‘
In what is an extremely heartwarming story, Leeds confirmed on Friday that they’d be extending the 1-cap Switzerland international’s contract, despite the fact that Berardi is still out with a serious injury.
In the Whites’ penultimate game of last season against Derby, the 32-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee, ruling him out for a substantial length of time.
Berardi had an operation during pre-season and has been rehabilitating at Thorp Arch.
Leeds very easily could’ve washed their hands of the defender, who was technically no longer the club’s problem when his contract expired.
However, despite the fact he is currently of no use to Marcelo Bielsa, the Yorkshire-based outfit have treated their longest-serving player admirably by giving him a bit of security while he recovers.
In a time where other clubs are making staff redundant and money can sometimes take precedent above morality, it is pleasing to see Leeds act so honourably.
Berardi is somewhat of a cult hero at Elland Road, amassing 155 appearances for the club since arriving from Sampdoria in 2014.
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