Isaac Schmidt and James Debayo will be celebrating alongside their Leeds United teammates after the club secured promotion back to the Premier League on Monday night. The confirmation came following Burnley’s 2–1 win over Sheffield United, which ensured both Burnley and Leeds are mathematically promoted with two Championship matches to spare.
Earlier in the day, Leeds had produced a stunning 6–0 demolition of Stoke City, virtually sealing promotion before Burnley's result made it official. Leeds now have their eyes set on clinching the Championship title outright, needing wins against Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle to reach the 100-point mark.
Swiss-Nigerian midfielder Schmidt, who joined Leeds from FC St. Gallen last summer, made 12 appearances off the bench during the campaign. Teenage defender James Debayo, meanwhile, featured once in the league this season, although he has been named in 24 matchday squads. His older brother, Josh Debayo, was previously part of the Golden Eaglets’ training camp ahead of the 2013 U17 World Cup.
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Both Schmidt and Debayo are yet to become regulars in the senior squad but have now earned the opportunity to continue their development at the top level of next season.
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Editorial
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Promotion to the Premier League is a dream shared by clubs, players, and fans alike and for Isaac Schmidt and James Debayo, it represents both a reward and a fresh challenge. Though they may not have played starring roles in Leeds United’s campaign, their inclusion in the matchday squads speaks volumes about the faith the club has in their potential.
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For Nigerian football, this moment is another encouraging sign. As we continue to see young players with Nigerian roots making inroads into elite European football, it becomes increasingly clear that our global football footprint is expanding. Debayo’s rise, in particular, underscores the value of persistence. Even with limited minutes, he’s doing enough in training and development squads to stay in contention.
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What matters now is what comes next. The Premier League is an unforgiving arena where talent must meet maturity. The challenge for Schmidt and Debayo will be to push further, make their case for consistent involvement, and adapt quickly to the demands of top-flight football.
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We must continue to spotlight these stories not only to celebrate achievements but to ensure these young talents are supported, mentored, and guided as they scale greater heights. Their rise is not just good for Leeds it’s good for the future of Nigerian football.
Did You Know?
Leeds United’s last promotion to the Premier League came in the 2019–20 season under [Marcelo Bielsa](https://www.footballinnigeria.com.ng/news/transfer-news/brian-okonkwo-joins-west-brom-u21-after-arsenal-exit/).
Isaac Schmidt has represented Switzerland at various youth international levels and is eligible to play for Nigeria through [descent](https://www.footballinnigeria.com.ng/news/transfer-news/why-malmo-won-the-race-to-sign-emmanuel-ekong/).
James Debayo began his youth career at Watford before joining Leeds’ academy setup.
Leeds United have won the English top-flight title three times in their history, the last being in 1991–92.
The Championship’s 100-point mark has only been reached five times since the league’s rebranding in 2004.