The influence of Leeds United’s Liam Cooper has been felt in the key summer development for Daniel Farke’s favourite

Nerves have been calmed for Ethan Ampadu wearing the Leeds United armband as he prepares for the same honor with Wales this evening. The Dragons face Slovakia in a friendly that prepares their hosts for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament.

Ampadu will captain his nation for the first time in that match tonight. The 23-year-old wore the white armband on 23 occasions last season, when Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk were missing from the starting line-up.

The former Exeter City youngster has rarely looked fazed by anything since arriving at Elland Road and looks set to receive his latest international accolade in a similar move. Wearing the Leeds mantle was good practice.

READ MORE: Leeds United have already addressed their key transfer need before the summer window opens

“The second half of the season I wore the armband for Leeds so that probably helped ease the nerves a bit,” he said. “It’s a weird thing to say, but even though I’m wearing the armband, I’m just going to try to do what I do every game.

“I’m not going to try to be different just because I’m captain. That’s the way they are and the way it should be.”

Ampadu has already amassed 51 caps for his country despite his tender years. He began his budding international career with England under-16s, but has been with Wales from under-17s thanks to his Welsh mother.

“It’s definitely a big opportunity and one that I’m very grateful for,” he said. “It’s a really proud moment for me and my family and it’s something you dream about as a kid.

“It’s a huge achievement, one that I won’t take for granted, but that aside, we still have a game of football to win.”

Cooper did not have much time with Ampadu as skipper at Elland Road, but the former Chelsea man has cited every captain in his career as an influence on how he carries himself with the armband.

“Luckily, every captain we’ve had has been amazing, whether it’s their leadership, what they do on the field, off the field, how professional they are,” he said. “I’m lucky enough, with Wales and my club teams, I’ve played with a lot of great captains.

“I could name every one of them I could take a little of.”