Leeds signed Swansea defender Kyle Bartley on a season-long loan in the summer of 2016 with big expectations for the player.
The 6ft 4 former Arsenal academy defender struggled to break into the Swansea first team in the Premier League, and rightfully opted to move to the Championship, after another successful loan spell with Birmingham two seasons before.
Leeds fans showed their joy at the signing, praising the defender’s quality and what he can bring to the side. The Peacocks finished in 13th place the season before in the Championship, and fans were demanding more from their club. Bartley was a step in the right direction.
This is what the fans had to say:
quality work!!
— CB14 (@camchesie) July 1, 2016
decent.
— Neil (@OooahhBerardi) July 1, 2016
get In!!!!
— Aaron (@aarons1308) July 1, 2016
Too good for championship what a signing
— Benjamin Thornton (@BenjaminTlufc) July 1, 2016
Get in! More great news!
— Łuke (@Luke_LUFC99) July 1, 2016
good business there!!!!!
— ….. (@ryw14) July 1, 2016
hope he’s just solid and reliable, we have had too many clowns lately
— Ben Clarke (@BenClarke30) July 1, 2016
Leeds fans were right in being excited over this signing. The former England under-17 was a rock at Elland Road, playing 50 games for the club in all competitions, scoring six goals.
Despite Bartley’s solidity, Leeds just fell short of the Championship play-offs, finishing in seventh. To the dismay of the fans, the defender returned to Swansea at the end of the season for another crack at the Premier League.
He joined West Brom in the summer, where he will face his former club this season.
