On 9 August 2012, Leeds United brought to El Hadji Diouf to Elland Road on a trial period that was shortly turned into a permanent deal.
Neil Warnock brought him to the club following his decision to leave Doncaster Rovers at the end of the season, despite comments he made about the player once before.
The former Senegal international had a reputation that proceeded him making him a rather controversial figure.
And, that appeared to have given a number of fans on Twitter a mixed opinion about his arrival at the club.
Some were unhappy with the decision to sign him, whilst others had been pleased with it and felt he was a decent acquisition given the situation Leeds found themselves in.
Here are some of the reactions…
One of our Academy players has confirmed Diouf is training with #LUFC. Was trying to ignore that rumour hoping it would go away.
— The Scratching Shed (@TSSLUFC) August 9, 2012
Diouf trains with Leeds,good player,vile person,crap dancer #freetransfer
— Stevie G💛🤍💙LUFC (@BigTastySteve) August 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/Hagar62lufc/status/233634445704458241
I honestly don't mind the thought of El Hadj Diouf at Leeds… #UnpopularTweet
— LA (@LeicArch) August 9, 2012
This Diouf hysteria is a bit daft. Never realised we had so many moralistic fans. We bloody love a wrong un at ER. Sign him up #lufc
— RichieRich (@AMitherer) August 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/Thomaswelsh92/status/233689312384937984
A few months ago I'd have hurled my guts up at the thought of Diouf playing for Leeds. Right now, I really couldn't care less. Bring it on
— Jon Howe (@jonhowe1971) August 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/smarcbarter/status/233676700226027521
Never thought it'd get to the point that El Hadji Diouf would be deemed a good signing! But we need his sort of player at the min #LUFC
— Luke (@luke_hill) August 9, 2012
https://twitter.com/timothyhodge/status/233670426465824768
Diouf started to put a number of performances together on the pitch for the club, which resulted in him being offered a number of deals during his stay at Elland Road.
He was initially offered a deal until January 2013 and accepted after revealing he turned down lucrative offers from elsewhere to stay at the club and try to become a ‘legend’.
Changing Warnock’s opinion of him, the former winger signed a new 18-month contract with the club in December and hit six goals in his first season for the club.
Controversies were never too far away when Diouf was concerned, however, and things appeared to go south in the next campaign as he made just one appearance following a number of issues and was later released by Leeds in May 2014.
Having played for a number of clubs in Great Britain, including Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Rangers, he went on to play for Malaysian outfit Sabah FA for a season before he got received more criticism for his professionalism and shortly retired after.
Leeds fans – thoughts?
