Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford explains 'Z' celebration after Aston Villa hat trick

Leeds United star Patrick Bamford has explained the hand gesture he made after scoring the second of his three goals against Aston VIlla.
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The 27-year-old's hat trick saw off the Whites' former Championship rivals, who were undefeated in the Premier League until Friday's clash.

Fears from some Leeds United fans that Bamford would struggle to perform in the top flight have been wiped away, with Bamford netting six goals already this season.

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But some fans were left wondering what was behind his 'Z'-shaped hand gesture after netting his second in the 67th minute.

Patrick Bamford makes his 'Z'-shaped gesture after scoring his second goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park (photo: Laurence Griffiths / PA Wire).Patrick Bamford makes his 'Z'-shaped gesture after scoring his second goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park (photo: Laurence Griffiths / PA Wire).
Patrick Bamford makes his 'Z'-shaped gesture after scoring his second goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park (photo: Laurence Griffiths / PA Wire).

The star took to Instagram to explain, writing: "This is the bolt. It's a symbol for Planet, a force of nature and the centre of @hyloathletics mission using sport to inspire positive change for our earth.

"Sport, and particularly football in this country, has enormous power for good.

"Celebrating with the bolt is my way of standing up for our earth. Climate change is a threat to sport and if we don't act, it's going to get worse. I'm passionate about leaving our Planet in a better place than we found it."

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Bamford is an ambassador for Hylo Athletics, a sustainable sports shoe company.

According to their website: "As a group of pro and amateur athletes, we believe the future of sport needs radical change.

"It is our goal to reinvent sports shoes and push for new standards in an industry that has been slow to do anything about its environmental footprint.

"Today, textile production contributes more to global warming than aviation. We’re working to change that."

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Reflecting on the importance of the victory at Villa Park, Bamford told BT Sport: "Crucial. I think we look back at the Wolves game and we were possibly a little bit unlucky to come away with nothing I think.

"Maybe we deserved to win it but they played a good solid game and then we had to bounce back tonight.

"Villa are on a very good run, they are a good team.

"Someone was saying in the press that Bielsa was a myth but I think we showed everyone that Leeds are here and we are here to compete and give a good showing of ourselves."

Reflecting on the feeling of bagging his first ever Whites treble, Bamford smiled: "Nice, especially in the Premier League.

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"It's what you dream of when you are growing up isn't it so it means a lot to me."

Whites coach Marcelo Bielsa said of Bamford: "I'm very happy for him, he deserves it."

"Everything that Bamford gets he deserves, not because I have any sympathy for him. From my point of view he's a player with a lot of qualities. He produces a lot more danger than he finishes and if he continues to improve his efficiency then he will receive greater plaudits.

"We haven't been doing anything different with him, he's been doing the same things he has been doing in the past. The only difference is he's now converting chances in the past he was not converting."

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