Pablo Hernandez and Kalvin Phillips have led a flood of tributes from Leeds United players past and present following the announcement that Patrick Bamford has left the club.
After joining Leeds in 2018, Patrick Bamford is now looking for a new club after the final 10 months of his contract were terminated.
Fans flooded social media with messages to Bamford in the immediate aftermath of his departure, as one of the final relics of the Marcelo Bielsa era moves on to pastures new.
Daniel Farke explained that Bamford was not in his plans at the beginning of the summer, as Leeds look to bring in Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte as one of the final additions to their Premier League squad.
Now, several of Bamford’s current and former Leeds teammates have sent messages of support to the departing hero, as he leaves the club after seven years.
Pascal Struijk, Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpe celebrate promotion following Leeds United FC v Bristol City FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Kalvin Phillips leads Marcelo Bielsa-era tributes to Patrick Bamford
Bamford played a crucial role in Leeds’ promotion from the Championship under Bielsa, and his 17 goals helped fire the Whites to a ninth-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.
Several legends from the Bielsa era have sent their tributes to Bamford on Instagram, with Leeds Academy product Kalvin Phillips reposting Bamford’s departure video with the caption “Absolute legend”.
Screenshot of Kalvin Phillips' Instagram story with a tribute to Patrick Bamford
Screenshot of Kalvin Phillips’ Instagram account Credit: @Kalvinphillips Instagram
Phillips’ tribute was echoed by former Leeds captain Liam Cooper, who played alongside him through the majority of Bamford’s Leeds career. In a comment on Bamford’s Instagram post, Cooper said: “My number 9. Be proud, brother. Pleasure sharing those years with you.”
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Former Leeds fullback Luke Ayling also sent a message of support to the former Leeds number nine, adding: “Some journey, my man. Pleasure to share a dressing room and pitch with you, my man.”
Former midfield magician Pablo Hernandez also added his voice to the tributes to Bamford, describing him as a “top player” in a comment which said: “All the best, my friend!!! Top player! It’s been a pleasure to play with you.”
Georginio Rutter and fellow recent Leeds United teammates react
Although Bamford will always be synonymous with the Bielsa era at Leeds, he was also part of a second promotion-winning squad under Daniel Farke, albeit playing a reduced role.
Bamford’s recent Leeds teammates were also quick to send their messages of support to the departing Leeds man, led by former striker Georginio Rutter, who commented on the post with a love heart and crown emoji.
Screenshot of tributes to Patrick Bamford from Pablo Hernandes, Luke Ayling and Mateusz Klick on Instagram
Credit: @patrick_bamford Instagram
Recently departed defender Junior Firpo said that it was a pleasure to share a dressing room with Bamford, in a post which read: “What a pleasure to give you some assists! But mainly to share the dressing room with you! Enjoy your next chapter, you deserve the best.”
Finally, Leeds youngster Harry Gray, who many believe is the heir apparent to the number nine shirt at Leeds, added his tribute, stating: “What a person. Thank you for everything.”
The posts from his current and former Leeds teammates make it clear that, although his impact on the pitch reduced with time, Bamford remained a well-liked and respected teammate to the very end of his time at Leeds.