As Bellamy prepares to begin Wales’ Nations League A campaign with Portugal, Denmark and Norway starting in September, he can be expected to be a frequent visitor to Elland Road.
Having opted to move to Yorkshire following the expiry of his contract with Fulham, sought-after Wilson adds to a significant group of Welsh talent at Leeds.
He will join Wales team-mates Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow and Charlie Crew, plus Wales Under-19 defender Jayden Lienou who is expected to make his senior international debut soon after receiving his first senior squad call for June’s friendly with Ghana.
Wilson, who had been linked with Leeds the previous summer, said he had spoken to Whites skipper Ampadu in particular before finally making his choice.
“I’d say Efe’s (Ampadu) probably the biggest, I’ve been speaking to Efe a lot, but yes, I’m close to all the boys, and even before getting here, on international duty, speaking about the club, they’ve all had positive things to say,” Wilson said.
“And then, yes, Efe being captain, he’s been on to me a lot, just like he was last summer as well.
“So he’s played a big part in it, but just hearing what the boys had to say about the club, about the city, about the fans, that made the decision a bit easier.”
Wilson, who joined Fulham from Liverpool for £12m in 2022 after a loan spell, enjoyed his best goalscoring return in the Premier League in the past season, with 10 goals in 36 appearances.
The 69-cap forward has also scored 17 goals for his country, with 12 of those in the past three years.
He has become a talisman for Wales – even if he rejects comparisons with predecessor Gareth Bale – and accepts his new team-mates and fanbase will expect similar next season.
“Yes, I think the Bale comparison is something I’ve put to bed quite quickly because I don’t think anyone in our country ever will live up to the standards and the quality that Bale showed over them years,” said Wilson.
“He dragged us through games and produced moments that only a few in the world can.
“In terms of being a standout player, or one of the main players for the team, it’s something that I take on my shoulders. I feel that responsibility.
“I feel like I’ve gone from one of the younger lads to one of the senior ones quite quickly, especially on the international stage, so, yes, I feel that at the age I’m at now, I feel like I’m in the prime of my career.
“I feel really good. I feel really fit and strong, so, yes, that’s something I’d like to take on my shoulders and hopefully I can bring that here.”
