My Top 7 Australian Players To Star For Leeds United – Is Viduka The Best?

One thing that many Leeds fans may not be too aware of and it is something that I had to think about, is that the club has forged quite a reputation for having a substantial Australian connection over the last few decades.

While a couple of players might seem obvious, – in fact I did have to wrack my brains for a few and of course, trusty old Google is many people’s friend – there are a good deal more footballers hailing from ‘down under’ who have played for the club than many of you might think. Actually, a couple surprised even me and I’ve been following Yorkshire’s best club (Leeds United), since I was a nipper.

So, pu t’kettle on, grab yerself a brew and see what surprises I (t’internet) was able to come up with!

**All Statistics from Transfermarkt**

Mark Viduka

Some of my best memories of watching Leeds were of Viduka – I even remember the day we signed him from Celtic (summer of 2000) – a bargain for £6 million, though I think from us, it was a serious statement of intent. I definitely couldn’t wait to see him get started as it was off the back of a prolific campaign, where he banged in 27 goals. I think myself and every other Leeds fan was seriously excited.

And, he didn’t disappoint – during his first season, he scored 22 goals, including all four, in a memorable 4-3 over Liverpool at Elland Road. This is a game that sticks out for me as it was live on Sky Sports – an afternoon to remember.

He went on to form great partnerships with Alan Smith, Robbie Keane, Michael Bridges (a few people forget him, but what a player) and later, Robbie Fowler, becoming one of the most feared centre forwards in the Premier League.

Overall, in 165 appearances for the club, he put away 71 goals, including a sensational strike during the club’s 3-2 win over Arsenal at Highbury (what a game – again, superb Sunday afternoon entertainment – I remember it like it was yesterday) – the penultimate game of the 2002/03 season and one that kept the club in the English top-flight.

When we got relegated one year later, we sold him to Middlesbrough – and it was pretty hard to see him flourish; they made some great signings that summer, with Ray Parlour and of course, ex-Leeds legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, so at least he was in good company.

Harry Kewell

I know Kewell’s departure to Galatasaray left a bitter taste in many fans’ mouths (I was kind of too young to really digest it), but him and Viduka during their Leeds United tenure were probably two of the best Australian players at the time.

You could even say that Kewell was regarded as one of the best left-wingers in the Premier League during this era, often being mentioned in the same sentence as Robert Pires and Ryan Giggs.

Dangerous in front of goal and tricky with the ball at his feet, Kewell was a product of the youth team and made his professional debut at the age of 17 in a 1-0 defeat against Middlesbrough. Indeed, the most die-hard fans among you may remember, he most famously scored the winner against fierce rivals, Manchester United in a 1-0 victory at Elland Road in an early Saturday kick-off on 14 September 2002, with an assist from left-back Ian Harte.

His first competitive goal for the club came in 1997 during a 3-1 League Cup victory over Stoke City and, from then on, continued his development. Kewell won the PFA Young Player of the Season award during the 1999-2000 campaign and scored 61 goals in 236 appearances before joining Liverpool in the summer of 2003.

Tony Dorigo

Before the aforementioned two came along, Dorigo was probably the highest profile ‘Aussie’ to play for the club. I never realised he hailed from ‘down under’, but I do remember him being somewhat of a ‘cult hero’ and a fan’s favourite. der’, though I do seem to remember that he was somewhat of a cult hero and fan’s favourite in many circles. A member of the star-studded nineties team, that including the likes of Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister, David Batty, and Tony Yeboah, Dorigo also had considerable talent.

Dorigo joined Leeds from Chelsea for £1.3 million in 1991, helping the club win the old First Division Championship that season. He was a mainstay at left-back (and could also play centre-back) for six years before joining Italian side Torino.

He also will be familiar to many Leeds fans as part of the Radio Leeds commentary team for Leeds matches alongside Adam Pope.

Another Friday, another #leedsunited game – it’s a cold one for the Yorkshire derby #sheffieldwednesday v #leedsunited – going to be tough against a resurgent Wednesday but we’ve got nothing to fear – we’re flying!
Good luck to Daniel and the boys #MOT pic.twitter.com/c0okgKmF67

— Tony Dorigo (@tonydorigo) March 8, 2024

Patrick Kisnorbo

I think many Leeds United fans will recall ‘Paddy’ for his headband-wielding, passionate performances at centre-back, especially during the club’s League One promotion campaign, where he formed a solid partnership with Richard Naylor.

Kisnorbo, or ‘Paddy’ as he affectionately went by, was a considerable character during his time at the club. He became a firm fans’ favourite and formed many strong relationships with teammates and staff.

Following the club’s promotion, he was named in the PFA League One Team of the Season for the 2009/10 campaign and is fondly remembered for his service to the club. It was a shame that in the months that followed, he had his fair share of injury problems – I think he definitely deserved a fair crack at the Championship.

Neil Kilkenny

Another who participated in the club’s League One promotion campaign, Kilkenny was a useful central midfielder with an eye for a pass and, certainly, a cut above most League One players in his position at the time.

He was effectively an ever-present for the club during that season and I remember him forming a great relationship in midfield alongside Johnny Howson and/or Bradley Johnson in what I think was probably one of the strongest central midfield trios in the league at the time.

Paul Okon

A name that many may have forgotten – even I did; however, defensive midfielder and later, left-back Okon made 20 appearances for Leeds United in the Premier League during the 2002/03 campaign.

Somewhat of a journeyman throughout his career, he only spent one season with Leeds, after joining from Middlesbrough, before switching to Italian club Vicenza. Here at AllLeeds, we like a name from left-field, and, certainly Okon is just that.

Shane Lowry

It took me a while to recall him in a Leeds jersey, but in January 2010, we agreed to a loan deal with Aston Villa to take the, then 20-year-old defender (who could play centre-back and left-back) to Elland Road until March, where he linked up with fellow Aussie, Kisnorbo.

He did only make 12 appearances for us, but Lowry I think was a good squad player to have and he did make a contribution to our League One promotion campaign, filling in when necessary.

What Can We Take From This?

One thing for sure is that Leeds United certainly has been a club over the years that has had a somewhat strong Aussie connection. There are a few names that I elected to leave out, but notable mentions go out to Hayden Foxe, Jamie McMaster, Jacob Burns and Danny Milosevic.

For some reason we’ve been a bit of a magnet for Aussie players over the years – arguably more than any other club. Personally I think there is an appeal to Australian players, probably because there is a like-minded attitude between Leeds fans and Australians – a similar sense of humour and banter possibly. Obviously many of them also became fan favourites during their time at Elland Road as well.

Also, we are a club that gave (at least a couple of) Australian footballers the opportunity to play in the European Champions League, which puts both Viduka and Kewell in a somewhat of an elite club of Australian players to do so – even more so when you consider that we reached the semi-final stage with both of them in the team.

Who Was The Best?

This obviously comes down to personal opinion, though if you look at the statistics it could well be hard to argue with Viduka being the best Australian to play for the club. For me, certainly, he was the most effective and set numerous precedents while in a Leeds shirt. Probably, many of you (like me)will likely remember his four-goal haul at Elland Road in a 4-3 win over a very good Liverpool side. Then, there was his finish against Arsenal at Highbury where he effectively hit a half volley that drilled into the far corner of the net from outside of the box. Just wow.

What made Viduka so good as well, is that he could also play up front with anyone (something you don’t really see today – especially as so many teams play with two wide players either side of a lone striker), whether that was Smith, Keane, Fowler, Bridges, or even his fellow Aussie Kewell.

Speaking of which, you could also make an argument for the latter, though many Leeds fans have not forgiven his decision to move to Galatasaray, for obvious reasons. Despite this – and I know it’s a sore point, but I don’t think Kewell’s service for the club can be ignored, especially given his goal return and the impact that he made. I definitely think an honourable mention has to go out to Dorigo who was a loyal servant throughout the nineties, while for me also ‘Paddy’ Kisnorbo was adored by fans for his passion and work-rate.

So, with all that mind, who is your favourite Australian footballer to wear a Leeds United shirt?!