Leeds United fans have had to suffer a lot over since finishing fifth in the Premier League back in 2002. Not only have they had to put up with financial struggles and difficult owners, there have been two relegations and three season in the third tier, embarrassing cup exit and an array of managers, a few good, more bad.
But what about all those players who have represented the clubs over the last two decades? Those names that the mere mention of them provokes a cold, uneasy feeling to takeover your body for a few seconds? Well, beware, we are about to bring them back to the fore.
Following the controversy over Jean-Kevin Augustin’s move from RB Leipzig we are looking back at some of the worst loan signings in the club’s history. Scroll down and click through, but take a deep breath first.
1. Raul Bravo - January, 2003, Real Madrid
A Spanish international. A Champions League winner and La Liga winner with Real Madrid. He was meant to usurp Ian Harte. His Leeds career amounted to just six appearances and has been in the news lately, denying hiring a hitman to kill a former team-mate. Photo: Alex Livesey
2. Roque Junior - September 2003, AC Milan
Leeds United were signing a Champions League-winning, WORLD CUP-winning defender. Sounds vaguely familiar. Excitement and expectation was understandably high. He scored twice against Manchester United in a cup match, that’s a huge positive. No, it only goes to show just how rubbish he was before departing after just seven games. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
3. Cyril Chapuis - September 2003, Marseille
The Frenchman, arriving from Marseille, was seen as quite the coup for Leeds United in that now infamous 2003 summer transfer window. His most notable achievement was a hat-trick in a testimonial match against Cambridge United before having his loan cut short. Photo: VALERY HACHE
4. Salomon Olembe - August 2003, Marseille
Another player who arrived on loan that summer and with a good reputation. When you can only make eight starts for a team battling relegation you know something isn’t quite right. Returned to England a few years later for a spell at Wigan Athletic. Photo: Alex Livesey
5. Brett Ormerod - September 2004, Southampton
There’s nothing quite like making your debut for your new team having joined on a month-long loan deal, grabbing the ball to take a penalty and missing. That was Ormerod’s short and not very sweet Leeds career. Photo: Michael Steele
6. Leandre Griffit - January 2006, Southampton
Another month-long loan deal. More than a few Leeds fans will be scratching their head. He’s French and was a winger. That’s about it. Went on to play for a Belgian side called Centre. Photo: Jamie Sabau