Leeds United will welcome 20 former players back to Elland Road next season but those welcomes will be very different, depending on who returns. Whites supporters aren’t exactly known for hiding their feelings - positive or negative - with the stadium providing a cauldron-like atmosphere for opponents.
Players like Pascal Struijk and Karl Darlow know all-too-well what it feels like to walk out at Elland Road but for the former at least, doing so as the enemy will be new. Darlow has been inside the ground as an opponent but never as part of a Manchester United squad which are sure to receive a special welcome.
Former stars will also be returning to West Yorkshire when the likes of Bournemouth, Arsenal and newly-promoted Hull City come to town. Take a look below to see when those 20 players are due back at Elland Road next season.
7. Leif Davis- Ipswich Town (December 5)
The left-back broke into the Leeds picture under Marcelo Bielsa but played just 14 games across three years before a £1m exit was sanctioned under Jesse Marsch. Become a key player at Ipswich since, sticking with them after relegation in 2024/25. | Getty Images
8. Jack Clarke - Ipswich Town (December 5)
Burst onto the scene at Leeds during Bielsa's first season but a £10m move to Tottenham fell flat. Joined current club Ipswich in 2024 and like Davis, stuck around for the Championship promotion push. | Getty Images
9. Kalvin Phillips - Man City (January 6)
The much-loved former Leeds midfielder is still a Manchester City player, although the chances of him actually playing for them next season are slim. Spent a chunk of the previous campaign on loan at Sheffield United. | Getty Images
10. Tyler Adams - Bournemouth (February 6)
The midfielder's sole campaign at Elland Road was plagued by injury and ended in relegation. Joined Bournemouth in a deal worth £20m following Leeds' drop into the Championship and become a key player for the upwardly-mobile Cherries. | Getty Images
11. Lewis Cook - Bournemouth (February 6)
Came through the academy at Leeds before leaving for Bournemouth in 2016, where he remains a decade on. Still well regarded in and around Elland Road. | Getty Images
12. Ross Barkley - Aston Villa (February 20)
Played a grand total of four games on loan at Leeds in 2013 before returning to Everton. Got a decent amount of football at Villa last season, with seven of his 21 Premier League appearances coming from the start. | Getty Images