Since relegation from the Premier League in 2003/04, Leeds United have spent a lot of time in England’s second tier. In that time, they’ve signed some bonafide club legends.
Finding players willing to play in the Championship while also being good enough to earn promotion, is a hard line to walk.
Of course, ability isn’t the only measure of a good transfer. Value for money and the player’s relationship with the fans also play a huge role in a signing’s success.
Here are what we believe to be the five best Leeds United signings as a Championship club.
Ethan Ampadu
Ethan Ampadu. Credit: Imago Images
It’s early days for the 22-year-old Welsh defender/midfielder, but he has rapidly become one of Leeds United’s best players since joining from Chelsea in 2023.
After breaking out at the age of 17, Ampadu spent most of his career in the London club’s loveless loan system before finally finding a permanent home at Elland Road.
He’s since fully embraced the club, and may even be the leading candidate to take over as captain when Liam Cooper departs.
His innate calmness on the ball brings zen throughout the Leeds backline. They know, when Ampadu is there, all will be fine.
Mateusz Klich
Mateusz Klich. Credit: Imago Images
Many fans believe the Polish midfielder to be a cult hero, but we think that dismisses just how good Klich was at Leeds. His ‘never say die’ attitude set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
Klich spent the best part of six years at the club, a loan to Utrecht in 2018 his only temporary stop during his time at Leeds. After that, he became an important member of the squad, on and off the pitch.
There are few players who embraced the ethos of Leeds United like Klich. To this day, he’s active on all the socials, cheering the Whites on.
Kemar Roofe
Kemar Roofe. Credit: Imago Images
United could really do with a player like Roofe right now. His clinical finishing made him one of the best strikers in the league. Leeds were lucky to have him at the time.
Signed from Oxford United for £3 million in 2016, the forward scored 29 goals during his three seasons at the club before being sold to Anderlecht for £4.5 million in 2019.
He’s now banging them in across the border for Rangers.
Stuart Dallas
Stuart Dallas. Credit: Imago Images
In terms of value for money, Dallas may be Leeds United’s greatest signing. The Northern Irish full-back made the move to West Yorkshire from Brentford for a fee reported to be just £1.3 million.
He was one of Marcelo Bielsa’s most trusted players and had a huge role in securing promotion to the Premier League in 2019/20.
Dallas made the step up seamlessly, looking at home in the English top flight almost instantly. Perhaps his most notable moment in a Leeds shirt was his brace in United’s 2-1 win against Manchester City.
Pablo Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez. Credit: Imago Images
This list would be complete without the little winger. Hernandez joined the club at a time when Leeds fans were in desperate need of a hero. He became exactly that.
Arguably the most technically gifted player to ever put on a Leeds shirt, Hernandez was ripping it up alongside David Villa, David Silva, and Juan Mata at Valencia just a few years before.
He instantly elevated Leeds, his teammates would look to him to provide the magic needed to break down stubborn Championship defences. Without Hernandez, it’s unlikely they would have made it to the Premier League.
