The Elland Road outfit have had a rough time of it in the transfer market over the years – Goal takes a look at some of their most disappointing buys

Getty ImagesRoque Junior

Signed on loan from AC Milan in 2003 having helped Brazil win the World Cup just 12 months previously, Roque Junior prompted great excitement when he arrived at Elland Road.

A disastrous debut against Leicester City set the tone, however, with the Whites conceding 24 times in his seven appearances on their way to relegation from the Premier League.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLee Sharpe

Having played a key role in Manchester United's resurgence under Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 1990s, Sharpe became Leeds' joint-record signing when he arrived for £4.5 million in 1996.

He struggled to make an impact, however, and after sitting out the entire 1997-98 season with an injury he was cast aside by David O'Leary.

Getty ImagesKevin Nicholls

Injured during his first training session with the club following his arrival from Luton Town in the summer of 2006, Nicholls did not get off to the best of starts at Elland Road.

He was, however, made club captain just months later following Dennis Wise's arrival as manager, only to get sent off during his first match with the armband.

By March 2007 he had been dropped having requested to be sold back to Luton, and upon his return to Kenilworth Road he enraged Leeds fans further by stating the Hatters were a bigger club than his former employers.

Getty ImagesDarren Huckerby

Signed for £6 million from Coventry City in 1999, a player who had previously played solely as a central striker was forced out wide by the weight of top forwards available to David O'Leary.

He spent 18 months at Elland Road, scoring six goals, before being sold to Manchester City for just over half what Leeds paid for him.