Luke Ayling’s top five goals for Leeds United were counted as…….
Leeds United started the January window without adding any names to the squad, as many fans had hoped and expected with Daniel Farke.The first decisions made were actually departures because the club sanctioned exits to leave themselves short at the back..
Luke Ayling was the latest major exit, as he bid an emotional farewell to the club when he was confirmed as Middlesbrough’s new loan signing.
The right-back’s time is up at Elland Road with his contract up in the summer, seeing him spend the final months of his deal out on loan at the Riverside.
It’s not the end fans envisioned for the iconic right-back, who gave so much during his eight years at the club..
The first is Ayling’s last goal in Leeds colours, his towering header at home to West Brom in the second home league game under Daniel Farke.Leeds were relegated from the Premier League and had to regroup with players popping up left, right and centre. The Baggies saw two players leave the squad after refusing to play.There was defiance in the air and Ayling always epitomized it during his time at Leeds, and his powerful header in front of the Kop for Leeds could not have summed up the right-back’s game better. way of thinking.
Next up is the first of Ayling’s two goals away to Molineux in three Premier League years, the most dramatic of the defender’s successful late strikes.At 2-0 to Wolves, Leeds needed a turnaround to ensure they could give a bottom three player a rest and were given a lifeline when Raul Jimenez was sent off in the second half.That decision sparked a Leeds comeback which was sparked by Ayling’s forward run as he saw a good shot at the post which was eventually parried by Jack Harrison before Rodrigo equalised.Late in the game, a long free-kick deep to the back post was kept alive and Ayling grabbed it. He slotted the ball low through the keeper’s legs to win the game for Leeds, hinting at a poor tribute. to ex-Leeds and Wolves striker Robbie Keane with a wheelie, forehand and finger gun – celebrations he recreated exactly a year later in a 4-2 win..
