High Fives: Best Leeds signings since relegation TSS March 9, 2011 Top fives 49 Comments With a little help from The Scratching Shed’s followers on Twitter and Facebook, we’ve compiled a list of Leeds United’s top five signings since relegation from The Premier League back in 2003. 5. Max Gradel Arriving on loan from Leicester City in 2009, a series of game-changing appearances from the bench instantly made “Mad” Max Gradel a favourite amongst the Leeds United faithful. Gradel made such an impact that he was greeted with chants of ‘Grayson sign him up’ every time the young Ivorian entered the field or impressed the Whites fans with his flair and enthusiasm. After signing permanently in January 2010, Gradel slowly became an ever-present in Leeds’ starting line-up and consistently stood out as one of Leeds’ most exciting players. However, the same enthusiasm and passion that make him a great player also led to his sending off in the crucial final game of the 2009/10 season as his frustrations got the better of him and he stupidly landed a red card. Gradel vowed to make up for his error in judgement and has done so spectacularly throughout the 2010/11 season with 14 goals to date. 4. Kasper Schmeichel The biggest shock of the summer has to be the moment that Leeds United revealed Kasper Schmeichel had refused Premier League competition in favour of a move to Leeds. No stranger to a challenge, Kasper had spent the previous season at Notts County helping them to promotion by keeping more clean sheets than any other team in the league. His performances for Leeds United have perhaps been overshadowed by the terrible defensive record the Whites have kept throughout his first season at the club, but the Dane has showed time and time again that he’s capable of world class saves at defining moments of matches. His fourth place spot on the list also factors in the resale value of his capture. Arriving for nothing and with Premier League teams already interested, Kasper Schmeichel’s transfer to Leeds was a shrewd piece of business. 3. Jermaine Beckford Had it not been for the manner in which he left the club, Jermaine Beckford would probably be considered the best transfer Leeds have made since we were relegated from the Premier League in 2004. With the vultures circling overhead, throwing £50 notes and promises of stately homes and fast cars in Beckford’s direction, the new contract we were so desperate for him to sign never transpired. Instead, he left for Everton at the end of 2009/10 on a free transfer, with Leeds affectively throwing several million pounds down the drain. Having joined the club from non-league Wealdstone for next to nothing however, Jermaine Beckford’s 85 goals in 152 appearances for the Whites means he must be considered one of our all-time bargains. Defining moments like his goal that knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup and the one that won us promotion from the Championship are priceless memories few Leeds fans will ever forget. 2. Luciano Becchio Costing less than Berbatov, and scoring more goals is just one of a million reasons why the Whites faithful love Argentinian striker Luciano Becchio. Not the most gifted finisher Elland Road has ever seen – far from it in fact – he makes up for his limited skill with an unremitting determination and work-ethic that is hard for even the most hardened of critics to knock. Joining the club from Spanish side Merida in 2008, Becchio has since made 139 appearances for the Whites scoring 53 goals in the process. An ever-present in Simon Grayson’s Leeds United line-up and a fans favourite to boot, it’s hard to imagine a Leeds United side without Luciano Becchio hustling opposition defences. 1. Robert Snodgrass For me, the hands down winner of Leeds United’s best signing since relegation has to be Robert Snodgrass. Arriving at Elland Road in July 2008, the winged wizard quickly established himself as one of Leeds United’s most valuable assets. With 28 goals in 134 appearances, his goal return is pretty impressive for someone playing wide on the wing, but Snodgrass’ real strength lies in his ability to make opposition full-backs look like rank amateurs before providing deliveries that strikers feast on. Alongside Max Gradel, Snodgrass has become the primary source of Leeds United’s creativity and attacking threat. Arriving on a free from Livingston, and now regarded as one of the most prized assets outside the Premier League, Robert Snodgrass (and Luciano Becchio) stand testament to Gary McAllister’s eye for a player. Disagree? Who do you think should have been number one? Do you want Russell Crowe to invest in Leeds United? Yes No View Results Loading ...