Harry Kewell defended his controversial move to Liverpool after being slammed by Leeds United bosses and fans
Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell's move from Leeds to Liverpool was deeply controversial at the time
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Harry Kewell's switch from Leeds United to Liverpool remains one of the most acrimonious transfers in Premier League history. The Australian winger, who retired in 2014, made the contentious move from Elland Road to Anfield during the summer of 2003.
Financial difficulties forced Leeds to accept a paltry £3million fee for the 24-year-old, with the club revealing that an additional £2million was paid to Kewell's agents to secure the transfer.
Many Leeds supporters labelled Kewell a traitor, while then-chairman Professor John McKenzie launched scathing attacks on both the player and his representatives. McKenzie maintained the club had little option but to sell rather than risk losing Kewell on a free transfer when his contract expired, describing the circumstances as "outrageous."
Kewell pointed the finger at Leeds for his exit, arguing that he hadn't received a contract extension offer and consequently felt unwanted by the club. Per the Daily Mail, he said: "I don't understand what I'm supposed to have done wrong, given that it was the club's decision to sell me.
"Not once did they come to me and offer me a new contract, even though my deal was running out [the following summer]. Not once did they even mention talking about it to me.
"If that's how they make a player feel wanted at the club, then it's a very strange way to do it. I've been accused of a lot of things, including being a traitor, which is absolute rubbish."
Harry Kewell
Kewell insisted Leeds were to blame for his move to Liverpool
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Kewell also levelled accusations at Leeds for attempting to offload him without his knowledge. He said: "I've gone from one great club to another, but long before now, Leeds have tried to sell me behind my back. After nearly 10 years there, and the great things I was part of and helped them achieve, I'm left feeling betrayed by them.
"It seems to be a convenient excuse to blame the player for wanting to leave but hasn't it occurred to them that if the club weren't in such a financial state, then maybe me and few others would not have needed to be sold and would still be there?"
Kewell had other offers on the table and maintained he was presented with more lucrative deals elsewhere, but was won over by then-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier. He continued: 'I was lucky enough to have the choice of a few great clubs and in choosing Liverpool I have not made a decision for financial reasons but football ones.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Owen of Liverpool celebrates with El Hadji Diouf and Harry Kewell of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on September 20, 2003 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Kewell's Liverpool career never really took off
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"I was offered more money to go elsewhere but chose Liverpool because of the history and tradition and the fact that Gerard Houllier is the coach.
"Leeds are moaning that they could have had more money if I'd gone somewhere else but do they expect to tell people where they should go to work and it will just be accepted?"
Kewell's five-year spell with Liverpool was a disappointment. He was part of the Champions League-winning side in 2005, only to limp of early in the final against AC Milan. The Reds host Leeds in their first game of 2026 on New Year's Day (5.30pm kick-off).
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