This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United playmaker Pablo Hernandez has signed a new contract until the end of the 2021-22 campaign, it has been confirmed on the club website.

The former Spain international, 34, has scored 29 goals in 132 appearances for Leeds since initially joining the Championship side on loan in 2016, with the ex-Swansea and Valencia man scoring in Leeds' opening two games this season.

So how important is it that Hernandez has signed a new deal at Leeds?

We discuss.......

Ben Lang

"It will come as a massive boost for Leeds to retain Hernandez's services for the next two seasons, particularly given that he is the latest in a long list of players to commit their future to the club.

"This will give Leeds some stability over the coming seasons, and Hernandez will now be central to this. He provides a much-needed creative spark to Marcelo Bielsa's side which would be extremely difficult to replace.

"It is perhaps something of a risk for Leeds to secure Hernandez on a two-year deal given that he is not getting any younger, while he has had some injury problems recently, but the attacking midfielder has done enough throughout his Leeds career to justify this extension.

"Hernandez should now continue to be a key figure in Leeds' attack over the next coupe of years, with the Spaniard's mere presence in the side being enough to give his teammates a boost."

Josh Cole

“This is without doubt fantastic news for Leeds as Hernandez has been a key player for the club since making the switch to Elland Road in 2017.

“Superb during the previous campaign, the Spaniard thrived under the guidance of Bilic as he helped his side secure a third-place finish in the Championship.

“Whilst it is safe to say that Hernandez has yet to hit top-form for the Whites this season, there is no reason why he cannot play a major role in their push for promotion over the coming months.

“Capable of scoring, as well as assisting his team-mates, the 34-year-old’s performances over the past two years have more than warranted this contract extension.”

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Jacob Potter

"This is a huge boost.

"Hernandez has been a key member of their squad in recent seasons, and has somewhat carried the Whites through difficult spells on his own at times.

"The Spaniard scored 12 goals and was on hand to provide 12 assists last term, as Leeds fell agonisingly short in their promotion bid last term after a defeat to Derby County in their play-off semi-final.

"I still think he's able to offer the Whites something going forward this season, and he seems to be getting better with age.

"If Hernandez can get back to his best, then Leeds will have a real chance of winning promotion to the Premier League this season under Marcelo Bielsa's guidance."