Patrick Bamford left Leeds United under acrimonious circumstances towards the end of the transfer window. Daniel Farke didn’t involve him in pre-season, and he trained with the Under-21s before his contract was terminated with a payoff.
Bamford spent seven years at Leeds and was part of two promotion-winning teams at Elland Road. He also had a brilliant season in the Premier League, which got him into the England squad.
However, the striker battled injuries over the past few years, and Farke lacked confidence in his fitness to include him in the squad for the current Premier League season, ultimately leading to his departure.
The 32-year-old striker is now on his way to Spain, where he is close to joining La Liga side Getafe, who are sitting eighth in the league table after winning three of their opening five league games this season.
Patrick Bamford is following in the footsteps of some famous Leeds players
Bamford’s agents are in advanced negotiations with Getafe over a deal. An agreement is expected to be finalised soon, ahead of the striker completing the formalities of the transfer.
If the deal goes through, the 32-year-old striker will be following in the footsteps of famous Leeds players who played in Spain in the past.
Leeds legend Ian Harte, who famously played in a Champions League semi-final with the Whites, left Elland Road following their relegation in 2004.
He left the club to move to Spain with Levante before returning to England three years later.
In the 1980s, Peter Barnes left Leeds to move to Spain with Real Betis, only to return to Elland Road just a year later.
More recently, Junior Firpo moved on from Leeds at the end of last season, when his contract expired, to return to his former club Betis.
Samu Saiz and Kiko Casilla are two former Leeds players who previously played for Getafe, a move Bamford is set to make.
Diego Llorente, who left Leeds last year, joined Real Betis and has been impressive in Spain over the last season or so.
Bamford is set to face a few of his former Leeds teammates this season
The former Leeds striker will be taking on some of the best players in the world if he joins and plays for Getafe in the ongoing campaign.
However, Bamford is also set for a reunion with some of his former Leeds teammates in Spain this season.
Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani are on loan at Mallorca and Valencia, respectively, and Llorente and Firpo are at Betis after completing permanent deals away from Leeds.
The ex-Leeds forward is also set to face his former teammate Raphinha, who played a big part with Bamford in helping the Whites to finish in the top half of the Premier League table in the 2020/21 season.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United strikers?
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