Where are they now? Leeds United’s Champions League semi-final squad of 2001

Mark Viduka

27/01/01 FA cup. Leeds United v Liverpool. Mark Viduka. Photo: Mark Leech.

Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

And finally, Mark Viduka. What a new addition he was!

Another Australia ace, the 41-year-old was brought to Leeds United from Celtic in July 2000 for a reported £6m fee by manager David O’Leary.

In his debut campaign at Elland Road, the striker netted 21 goals in all competitions for The Whites, helping the club finish fourth in the Premier League and obviously reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Viduka went on to make 156 appearances for Leeds until the summer of 2004, following the club’s demotion to the Championship, having scored 67 goals, before being sold to Middlesbrough.

An impressive 41 goals in 96 games for Boro was followed up by one last transfer to north-east rivals Newcastle United, where he netted seven times in 40 appearances for the Magpies.

However, Viduka suffered another relegation from the Premier League under the management of the legendary Alan Shearer at St James’ Park during the latter stages of the 2008-09 season, playing in Newcastle’s final match of the season – a 1-0 away defeat at Aston Villa on May 24.

That was his last game in professional football.

Following his retirement, Viduka has returned to Australia to live in Melbourne, where he is gaining his UEFA coaching badges.

In December 2014, the ex-Leeds star was entered into the Football Federation Australia’s Hall of Fame.

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