Cody Drameh became the latest academy player to be handed his senior bow when he started against Arsenal in the Whites’ Carabao Cup tie.
Though he couldn’t stop Leeds exiting the competition, the 19-year-old acquitted himself very well and - alongside Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville, who joined him on the pitch for the second half - was a fantastic advertisement for the excellent recruitment and development going on at Thorp Arch.
But a strong Leeds United academy is not a 2021 phenomenon. For years, the Whites have handed senior debuts to players who have gone on to do extraordinary things - and some have impressed from their very first game.
Here are 21 great players who played senior football for the first time at Leeds.
But a strong Leeds United academy is not a 2021 phenomenon. For years, the Whites have handed senior debuts to players who have gone on to do extraordinary things - and some have impressed from their very first game.
7. James Milner
James Milner’s first-team debut came in November 2002, when he came on for the last six minutes against West Ham. Weeks later, the Wortley lad became the youngest player to score in the Premier League at the age of 16 years and 356 days. Photo: Mark Thompson
8. Kalvin Phillips
The Yorkshire Pirlo made his first-team debut aged 19 in a 4-3 defeat at Molineux in April 2015. The Wortley-born midfielder lined up alongside fellow academy graduates Sam Byram, Charlie Taylor, and Alex Mowatt. Photo: Daniel Smith
9. Gary Speed
Howard Wilkinson handed Gary Speed his senior debut in May 1989 when, aged 19, the Welshman appeared in a goalless draw against Oldham Athletic at Elland Road. Photo: Ben Radford
10. John Charles
John Charles made his senior debut in April 1949 at 17 years old. As the Whites prepared to face Queen of the South FC, the young Welshman was tasked with keeping nuisance striker Billy Houliston quiet. The game ended 0-0 and Houliston was full of praise for the young defender, calling him “the best centre half I've ever played against.” Photo: Don Morley
11. Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Woodgate made his first team debut aged 18 in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in October 1998. Photo: Ben Radford
12. Peter Lorimer
When Peter Lorimer made his senior debut in a 1-1 draw with Southampton in September 1962, he became the youngest player to play for Leeds aged just 15 years old. Photo: Evening Standard