Prior to their relegation in 2004, Leeds United had an enjoyable time in the Premier League, and invested well. And, in fairness to those in charge at Elland Road, their business hasn’t exactly been woeful since returning to the top flight in 2020.

Last summer, they signed Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Wilfried Gnonto, and Joel Robles, and then added to that by signing Georginio Rutter, Maximilian Wober, and Weston McKennie in the January transfer window.

If they perform anything like the players listed below, then Leeds fans are in for a treat. With that said, we’ve ranked Leeds United’s greatest signings of the Premier League era.

10) Michael Bridges – £6.75m

If it wasn’t for injuries, then Michael Bridges would sit near the top of this list. The forward arrived for £6.75 million in the 1999/00 season, and scored 19 goals in his debut season; he looked destined to become a crucial player at Elland Road. The injury curse soon struck, however, and he was never the same player.

9) Lee Bowyer – £2.8m

Arriving for a record fee for a teenager at the time (£2.8 million), the pressure was on for Lee Bowyer to perform at Leeds United. But, as the famous saying goes, pressure makes diamonds. Or, in football terms, pressure makes talismanic, world class players. And, this was very much the case for Bowyer, who scored 55 goals and made 265 appearances for Leeds.

8) Robbie Fowler – £11m

Though Fowler only spent one season at Elland Road, 14 goals in 32 appearances is an impressive enough record to get on this list. The forward signed for the club in 2001 for £11 million, before leaving to Manchester City a season later, as a financial crisis engulfed the club. One has to think that, without that, he would have scored plenty more goals for the Elland Road club. 

7) Olivier Dacourt – £8m

A key part of the side that reached the Champions League last four in 2000/01, Olivier Dacourt cost Leeds United £8 million in 2000, which was a club record at the time. The midfielder’s form at Elland Road even earned him a consistent place in the France national team – epitomising just how good he was. He ended his Leeds career with 82 appearances, before joining Roma. 

6) Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – £2.5m

One of the best strikers in Premier League history, it’s a shame that Leeds United couldn’t keep hold of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for longer than two seasons. Signing for £2.5 million, Hasselbaink went on to score 35 goals in 79 appearances, whilst also making 11 assists. He also helped Leeds bank a tidy profit, as he left for Atletico Madrid for £10m, before eventually returning to England with Chelsea. 

5) Dominic Matteo – £6.41m

Another player who played a big part as Leeds shocked the world to reach the Champions League semi-finals in the 2000/01 season, Dominic Matteo signed from Liverpool for £6.41 million in 2000. The defender made an instant impact as a mainstay in the side. By the time that he left the Yorkshire club, Matteo had made 144 appearances in four years. A cult icon at Elland Road. 

4) Nigel Martyn – £3m

One of the best shot-stoppers in Leeds United history, Nigel Martyn arrived for £3 million in 1996, before going on to make 258 appearances for the Yorkshire club. In those 258 appearances, Martyn saw it all, including a Champions League semi-final, as Leeds almost shocked the world in the 2000/01 season, and he briefly became England’s No.1 too, winning 23 caps for his country.

3) Tony Yeboah – £2.93m

When we think of the name Tony Yeboah, we instantly begin reminiscing about the rockets he used to unleash in the Premier League. Where there was space and time, there was a Yeboah screamer, just look at that goal against Wimbledon. It’s fair to say that, for £2.93 million, Leeds got themselves a bargain in 1995. He ended his career with the club with 30 goals in 57 games. That’s a stunning record.

2) Rio Ferdinand – £18m

Now, whilst Rio Ferdinand remains an unpopular figure amongst Leeds United fans, his talent just cannot be ignored. The Yorkshire club signed the Premier League legend for a British transfer record of £18 million in 2000, and proved to be an instant difference-maker, as Leeds reached the Champions League last four. He went for a huge profit to join Manchester United for £30m, too. 

1) Mark Viduka – £8.24m

Speaking of difference-makers, Mark Viduka is one of the best that Leeds United fans have seen in the Premier League. The Australian scored 71 goals in 164 games after arriving for £8.24 million in 2000. In his debut season, Viduka netted 17 goals in 34 Premier League appearances. When he left, he joined Middlesbrough, leaving as a Leeds legend. 

So, there you have it, our list of Leeds United’s greatest signings in the Premier League era, featuring some world class players. Those at Elland Road will be hoping to see their recent business turn into similar success when compared to the transfers of years like 2000. 

Unlike 2000, however, relegation could prove to be the ultimate price if their arrivals turn into flops, instead of future greats. Last season, Jesse Marsch’s side just about avoided the drop. This season, if the likes of Aaronson are not instant hits, they may not be so fortunate.