Leeds United’s summer of 2024 was always likely to be a turbulent one following defeat in the Championship play-off final to Southampton.
Thankfully, the Whites didn’t have to worry about that this time around as Daniel Farke’s Whites stormed to promotion as Championship champions on 100 points.
Now, ahead of the club’s top-flight return, all thoughts are geared towards building a team and squad that can survive in the Premier League.
But it was a very different story this time last year as a Wembley defeat to Southampton in the Championship play-off final left Leeds counting the cost of not going up and facing inevitable big name departures.
There were plenty of them - as well as a host of players released. Some have fared better than others since and, here, we run through what has happened to the 22 players who left the club last summer in the 12 months that followed.
The club captain ended a decade with the Whites as his contract expired last summer. After much speculation about his next move, Cooper joined Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia for whom he often wore the captain's armband for in 25 outings over the course of the campaign. The 33-year-old Scotland international has one more year left on his deal in Sofia. The defender has not played for Scotland since March 2024.
1. Liam Cooper (CSKA Sofia)
The club captain ended a decade with the Whites as his contract expired last summer. After much speculation about his next move, Cooper joined Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia for whom he often wore the captain's armband for in 25 outings over the course of the campaign. The 33-year-old Scotland international has one more year left on his deal in Sofia. The defender has not played for Scotland since March 2024. | Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Ayling ended eight years at the club by sealing a permanent switch to Middlesbrough upon his contract expiring last summer having initially joined the Riversiders on loan in January. The defender suffered an ankle injury in March's 1-0 win at home to Derby County which ultimately ended his season which featured 26 Championship outings including 23 starts and plenty of them as captain. The right back is contracted at the club until next summer and Ayling has already set his sights on helping the club to promotion next season.
2. Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough)
Ayling ended eight years at the club by sealing a permanent switch to Middlesbrough upon his contract expiring last summer having initially joined the Riversiders on loan in January. The defender suffered an ankle injury in March's 1-0 win at home to Derby County which ultimately ended his season which featured 26 Championship outings including 23 starts and plenty of them as captain. The right back is contracted at the club until next summer and Ayling has already set his sights on helping the club to promotion next season. | Getty Images
Former England youth international midfielder Bate left the club last June as he joined Stockport County on a three-year deal. Despite missing the last six games of the season through injury, Bate enjoyed a stellar year, often captaining the side and named in the League One team of the season at the EFL Awards. Stockport, though, saw their season end in tears through defeat to Leyton Orient on penalties in the play-offs semi-finals. Now 22, Bate has two more years left on his Stockport deal.
3. Lewis Bate (Stockport County)
Former England youth international midfielder Bate left the club last June as he joined Stockport County on a three-year deal. Despite missing the last six games of the season through injury, Bate enjoyed a stellar year, often captaining the side and named in the League One team of the season at the EFL Awards. Stockport, though, saw their season end in tears through defeat to Leyton Orient on penalties in the play-offs semi-finals. Now 22, Bate has two more years left on his Stockport deal. | Getty Images
Northern Ireland under-21s international attacking midfielder Allen was released upon his contract expiring and then re-joined former club Linfield on a two-year-deal. Allen made 26 appearances for the team during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring three times and bagging two assists.
4. Charlie Allen (Linfield)
Northern Ireland under-21s international attacking midfielder Allen was released upon his contract expiring and then re-joined former club Linfield on a two-year-deal. Allen made 26 appearances for the team during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring three times and bagging two assists. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Young winger Carole was another Leeds youngster released upon his contract expiring. The attacker then joined Swiss club Servette who loaned him out to Slovenian side NK Tabor Sezana following ten outings for the club's under-21s. Carole made 15 appearances for his loan side for whom he scored twice and bagged three assists. Carole has another year left on his Servette contract.
5. Keenan Carole (Servette)
Young winger Carole was another Leeds youngster released upon his contract expiring. The attacker then joined Swiss club Servette who loaned him out to Slovenian side NK Tabor Sezana following ten outings for the club's under-21s. Carole made 15 appearances for his loan side for whom he scored twice and bagged three assists. Carole has another year left on his Servette contract. | Wolves via Getty Images
Another youngster released upon his contract expiring, Diboe eventually found a new club in January as he joined Aberystwyth Town in the Cymru Premier, the top flight of Welsh football. Ten appearances including three starts and one goal have since followed for the 20-year-old right back.
6. Cuba Diboe (Aberystwyth Town)
Another youngster released upon his contract expiring, Diboe eventually found a new club in January as he joined Aberystwyth Town in the Cymru Premier, the top flight of Welsh football. Ten appearances including three starts and one goal have since followed for the 20-year-old right back. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images