Not every player will make it at Leeds United but development isn’t linear and players often find their feet at a good level down the line.
Leeds United’s academy has produced players who are plying their trade up and down the pyramid, including Premier League players like James Milner and National League players like Tyler Denton.
There are numerous in between, with the Whites often signing players to their famous Thorp Arch academy from other clubs lower down the league. The opportunity to progress through with Leeds is always difficult to turn down.
For example, Sam Dalby was signed from Leyton Orient in 2016. He never made an appearance for Leeds at senior level, but he has found his way to Bolton Wanderers this summer.
Marcelo Bielsa during his stint as Leeds United manager.
Photo by JON SUPER/AFP via Getty Images
Former Leeds striker Sam Dalby part of mad Bolton and Huddersfield game
Leeds signed Dalby under Marcelo Bielsa but he was loaned to Morecambe, before Watford snapped him up permanently in 2019.
That was on a free transfer. However, eventually, he departed for Southend United permanently after a short stint at Vicarage Road. Neither that nor the Leeds move worked out as planned for him.
The 25-year-old is a 6’3” striker who has only been prolific once in his career. He eventually moved from Southend to Wrexham but a loan with Dundee United unlocked Dalby’s early potential.
In fact, Dalby came close to a golden boot last season. That caught Bolton’s eye, with Dalby joining the club this summer permanently from Wrexham.
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Last night, he took part in a mad game from the bench to score the equaliser with a stunning header in the 93rd minute.
As seen above on Sky Sports, he stooped to steer in a stunning cross from Amario Cozier-Duberry. The Brighton loanee then scored a winner just moments later to make it 2-1 away to Huddersfield Town.
Leeds’ West Yorkshire rivals had been 1-0 up until the 93rd minute. Former Man United and Derby County goalkeeper is now in charge of the Terriers.
Dundee United FC v Ross County FC - William Hill Premiership
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Sam Dalby’s unorthodox career path
Dalby is yet another example of Leeds’ eye for young talent. Even if he was never likely to be at the level Leeds required, he is carving out a decent career for himself.
Bolton are a huge club in their own right, especially in League One. He has had an interesting journey to get there, though.
Team Appearances Goals Assists
Leyton Orient (2016-2018) 19 1 3
Leeds United (2018-2019) 0 0 0
Morecambe (loan – 2019) 2 0 0
Watford (2019 – 2021) 1 0 0
Stockport County (loan – 2021) 4 0 0
Woking (loan – 2021) 14 1 0
Southend United (2022-2023) 44 9 1
Wrexham (2022-2025) 88 13 12
Dundee United (2024-2025) 37 15 2
Bolton Wanderers (2025-now) 12 2 1
It was his first league goal for Bolton, which he now needs to build on. It was made sweeter for Leeds fans seeing who it came against and the circumstances for how Bolton beat Huddersfield.