When Leeds signed New Zealand international Chris Wood from Leicester in 2015, fans knew that they had a talent on their hands.
The then 23-year-old had helped The Foxes earn promotion from The Championship in the 2013/14 season, and The Whites hoped that he could produce the same magic at Elland Road.
He struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, only managing seven appearances in the club’s first season in the top flight, scoring once. Leeds was a chance for him to get more game time.
Leeds fans were over the moon with this deal, and, strangely in modern football, Leicester fans were equally happy. They were grateful for what he had done for the club, and wished him all the best at his new club. It seemed like a transfer where everyone was happy.
This is what the fans had to say:
https://twitter.com/ChatLeedsUnited/status/616156114007261184
@officialcwood @LUFC congrats mate. Hope it goes well for you
— Paul Anderson (@P18NDO) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC welcome …..fun times ahead. You won’t get any better fans #Lufc
— Debbie (@DebbieFishman08) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood Welcome to Leeds!
— Ralu (@RaLUFC) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC welcome to the club Chris, let’s hope it’s a good season for all! MOT
— Jonesy (@ChrisJoneslufc) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC great move. Good luck lad.
— Maik Taylor (@maiktaylor1) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC good luck big man! You will be missed, well by me at least!
— Simon Coat’anger (@Hangerlandy94) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC GOOD LUCK Woody, thanks for everything, I bet they won’t have a good song for you like we did 😉
— Julia Ball (@JuliaBall) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood welcome aboard the road to the premier league Chris. #MOT
— DAZZLER (@darsum82) July 2, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC welcome to Leeds pal look forward to seeing you score a few goals
— Josh Westerman (@Joshwestylufc) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC You don’t know it yet, but you’ve just joined the greatest football club you will ever play for. Welcome. #lufc
— RetroLUFC (@RetroLUFC) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood Very best of luck, our striker’s shirt been a difficult one to fill in recent years; can’t wait to see you in action for us.
— David Watkins (@DaveLUFCWatkins) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC welcome to #lufc Chris, can’t wait to see you in a Leeds Shirt
— Zak Allen (@Zak_Allen) July 1, 2015
@officialcwood @LUFC Welcome to #lufc! The number 9 shirt’s yours if you want it! #MOT
— Jamie Collins (@LUJC83) July 1, 2015
After two seasons at the club, Leeds fans certainly got what they wished for from the striker. He scored 40 Championship goals in two seasons at Elland Road, becoming a fan favourite in the process.
He left The Whites in 2017 to return to the Premier League with Burnley. However, this transfer was not as amicable as the previous one, with Leeds fans feeling bitter about the players refusal to play before his transfer.
Nonetheless, there is no denying that the New Zealand was a huge success while at Leeds, and a player that has been sorely missed ever since.
