If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Australians seem to love Leeds United.
You can get your tickets to the Wanderers first match at Bankwest Stadium against Leeds United here.
Over the years, the Whites have adopted a number of Australian footballers including a fair few who have come from Western Sydney.
Leeds and Australian footballers have had a long-standing relationship with some of the best Aussie talents making the move overseas to play for the prestigious club.
Leeds United icons including Jacob Burns, Shane Cansdell-Sheriff, Hayden Foxe, Joel Griffiths, Harry Kewell and Paul Okon all hail from the Western Sydney region.
But The Whites also seem to love Australia right back.
English-born Leeds legends Michael Bridges, Brian Deane, and Robbie Fowler all made the move to Australia at some point in their footballing careers and spent some time in the Hyundai A-League.
With the massive clash between the Wanderers and Leeds United looming on the horizon, we take a look back at some of the Leeds greats who were born and raised in Western Sydney.
Harry Kewell
The list wouldn’t be complete without him. Kewell was born in Smithfield and made 242 appearances for Leeds, scoring 63 goals. The attacking midfielder played for the club for eight years between 1995 and 2003, winning the goal of the season award in 2000.
Paul Okon
Okon’s career began in the National Soccer League (NSL) for the Marconi Stallions. Born in Bossley Park, Okon went on to make 15 appearances for Leeds between 2002 and 2003. The defensive midfielder also captained the Australian national team and represented Australia in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Jacob Burns
After his youth career with Sydney United and Parramatta Power, Burns signed a three-year deal with Leeds where he played 11 games. The defensive midfielder also represented Australia on 11 occasions and played for Perth Glory in the Hyundai A-League until his retirement in 2012.
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Hayden Foxe
Foxe began his footballing career at Blacktown City. The defender played for Leeds United in their 2006/07 season and scored one goal for the club. Foxe went on to represent Australia at two Summer Olympics in 1996 and 2000.
Joel Griffiths
Griffiths played for Sydney United and Parramatta Power during his youth career. In 2006, the striker made two appearances for Leeds before moving back to play in the Hyundai A-League.
Shane Cansell-Sheriff
Although Sheriff never actually played a league game for Leeds, he was signed with the club from 1999 to 2003 after scouts spotted him playing for the New South Wales academy team. The Sydney-born defender now plays for Manly United in the NSW National Premier League.
