Kalvin Phillips left Leeds United in the summer of 2023 to join Manchester City, while Patrick Bamford moved on from Elland Road under acrimonious circumstances last year.
The duo played a big role in getting the Whites promoted in 2020, and were brilliant as Leeds finished in the top half in their first season back in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season.
Phillips had a few tough years at Manchester City before having a horrendous loan spell at Sheffield United in the second half of this season. However, the Blades want to re-sign him this summer.
Bamford has been a brilliant player for Sheffield United since joining them last year, and is expected to lead their charge to get promoted next season.
However, the Leeds duo are set to return to Elland Road for a special event this summer.
Leeds United set to welcome back Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford
The Yorkshire giants have arranged a watchalong of England vs Ghana for their fans at Elland Road this summer as part of a special World Cup feature.
Leeds have announced their former players, Phillips and Bamford, will be the special guests for the event at Elland Road next month.
🏆 Join us at Elland Road for an exclusive live watch party for England vs Ghana with @HisenseUK, featuring special guests Kalvin Phillips & Patrick Bamford!
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 28, 2026
Phillips has played at Elland Road since leaving Leeds, where he featured for Manchester City. However, this is Bamford’s first chance to return to the stadium since leaving last year.
Leeds fans will get an opportunity to mix with two players who played big roles in getting the club back in the Premier League for the first time in 15 years.
The supporters were against the idea of re-signing Phillips last year when it seemed the club were interested in him. But the fans are likely to treat them with special care in a more formal setting.
They will remain heroes at Elland Road
Each member of the Marcelo Bielsa side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2020 will remain a cult hero at Elland Road.
Bamford played some of his best football under Bielsa and even earned an England cap for his performances for Leeds in that era.
Phillips developed as the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ and played in semi-finals and finals of major tournaments for England on the back of the reputation he built at Elland Road.
Their career highs came at heady time for Leeds under Bielsa and they will forever have a special place in the hearts of the supporters at Elland Road.
