66 League apps (+3 as sub), 34 goals
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The flamboyantly named Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was a comparative unknown
on these shores when Leeds United manager George Graham brought him to
Elland Road, but in his two years at the club he proved himself to be a
goalscorer of the highest order. Hasselbaink had a proven track record
at Portuguese club Boavista and the £2 million that Graham paid proved
to be one of the biggest bargains of recent times. The muscular striker
opened his United account on his debut, when lashing home a powerful
shot from the edge of the box against Arsenal, but his second goal did
not come until his ninth League outing in a Leeds shirt.
Thereafter he
scored on a regular basis - notching 16 League goals in all - and his
fine form earned him a late call-up into the Dutch World Cup squad which
performed so splendidly at the 1998 World Cup. Jimmy's second season at
Elland Road produced more of the same as the Elland Road outfit
finished in a highly encouraging 4th place under the leadership of new
manager David O'Leary. Hasselbaink contributed 18 goals in 36 League
appearances to once again finish as leading scorer and enhance his
growing reputation still further. If Leeds fans thought that here was
the man to fire them to the Premiership title in the 1999/2000 season
there dreams were sadly dashed as the striker moved to Spanish club
Atletico Madrid in the close season.
The Spaniards parted with £12
million to take Hasselbaink to Madrid, with Leeds reportedly unwilling
to meet the player's astronomical wage demands. The £10 million profit
that Leeds realised on the player in just two years was undeniably a
great piece of business but, in footballing terms, it was a hammer blow
just weeks before the new season. (David Scranage)
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