Patrick Bamford has been spearheading Leeds United’s promotion push in the Championship this season, with the striker’s 13 goals putting Marcelo Bielsa’s side top of the table with nine games to play.
Leeds fans have been frustrated by his inability to put away good chances this season, but there’s little denying that he’s been a key part of this season’s promotion push.
Honestly, after a patchy career, Bamford looks to have found a home at Elland Road, with the 26-year-old fitting in well at a unique club.
There’s nine games of the season remaining and Bamford will hope he can write himself into Elland Road folklore by guiding them to promotion when the season can resume.
Yet, this extended break lets us look back on parts of Bamford’s career that might’ve slipped under the radar.
Here are TWO facts the Leeds fans might not have known…
9 clubs
Leeds is the ninth club Bamford has played for, despite the fact he’s still relatively young at 26.
He started at Nottingham Forest, but was quickly snapped up by Chelsea. However, games at Stamford Bridge never really developed, with MK Dons, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley all temporary homes for Bamford.
He then moved permanently to Middlesbrough, then onto Leeds, with the Whites the ninth club he’s represented and the move to Elland Road his 10th of a very short career.
Irish roots
Despite representing England under-21 level, Bamford has an Irish connection and represented the Ireland under-18s once in 2010.
Mick McCarthy has recently been trying to get the Leeds striker to commit to Ireland at senior level, but as yet, Bamford hasn’t taken the plunge and nailed his colours to the mast.
Maybe he’s holding out for a potential England chance, but that’s unlikely to come whilst Leeds are in the Championship.