Bolton Wanderers midfielder Luke Murphy has spoken candidly about his five-year spell with Leeds United, as reported by Bolton News.
The 29-year-old will return to Elland Road on Saturday with his new side Bolton, who will be aiming to cause an upset against the high-flying Whites.
Murphy joined Leeds as a fresh-faced 23-year-old in 2013, becoming the first player that the West Yorkshire club had forked out £1m for in eight years. He appeared regularly when fit during his first three years with the club, with the exception of a spell on the sidelines when Neil Redfearn took over as Head Coach.
However, the appointment of Garry Monk as Leeds manager saw Murphy slide out of first-team contention. He enjoyed two loan spells with Burton Albion before eventually being ousted by Marcelo Bielsa in 2018, allowing the product of Crewe Alexandra’s esteemed academy to seal a move to the Wanderers.
Despite failing to play a part in Leeds’ recent rejuvenation, Murphy insisted that he looks back on his time at the club with fond memories:
“It is very clichéd, but very up and down.
“I have some great memories there, met some amazing people and enjoyed playing my football there. With that said, there were some downs with the high expectations that are on a club like Leeds.
“Overall, though, I had a great time.”
The midfielder also recalled how the size of the club took him by surprise when he joined in 2013:
“I was buzzing as Leeds is a massive club.
“I knew it prior to joining, but it was only once I went there and spent time at the place, I realised just how big they were. It took me by surprise at first as I reckon you could go anywhere in the world and there would be Leeds fans.
“I was really happy to sign and have nothing but respect for them.”
Bolton will be hoping to fare better against Leeds than they did last week against Norwich City, who swept the Trotters aside in a convincing 4-0 win.
