Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhen Lucas Radebe arrived at Leeds United in 1994 alongside striker Phil Masinga in a double signing, the clubs primary reason for signing him was to keep his South African compatriot happy.But while Masinga would spend just two seasons in West Yorkshire, when Radebe hung up his boots more than a decade later, he had become a Leeds United legend, captaining the side through one of their most successful periods in recent history.For Radebe, the chance to join Leeds was significant not just for himself, but South African football as a whole.Radebe on his Leeds United transferIt was absolutely brilliant when I got to that stage in my professional career, Radebe tells FourFourTwo.Before then, South Africans never knew if we would get the opportunity to play international football due to Apartheid and the countrys sporting isolation. You may like "Silverware would have been guaranteed if I moved to Manchester United, but football isnt about accolades to me I belonged at Leeds" Lucas Radebe opens up on his loyalty to Leeds United 'I watched a lot of Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds and love visiting the Yorkshire Dales - I want to keep making memories here' Leeds United centre-back Jaka Bijol reflects on successful debut Premier League campaign Replacing Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds was a big challenge. Its a shame the club gave up on us, then paid the price of relegation Jesse Marsch on succeeding the Leeds United favourite When Leeds came in for me, I was still playing at Kaizer Chiefs. Joining Leeds was a once-in-a-lifetime chance that originally came with me babysitting the late Phil Masinga.I was included in the deal to keep him happy. But for me it was a calling, as I stayed there for more than a decade.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Radebe would go on to captain the South Africa national team at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, with his desire to embrace his background always shining through during his time at Leeds, where he would play for the club more than 250 times.Im incredibly proud of my Zulu roots, he continues. I remember the nickname Chief was given to me by my ex-Leeds manager David OLeary.That was in reference to being the chief of the Zulu tribe. I was very proud he and others understood my deep roots and accepted my culture.It meant a lot to both Phil and I that we were recognised as Africans and for what we achieved as a Zulu nation.Radebe is now an ambassador for the club and it is clear this mutual respect between him and Leeds has led to an enduring bond.As an individual, when people honour you as one of the greats, it speaks to the respect they have for the contributions I made to the club.TOPICSLeeds UnitedPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromGrant Shub
