Leeds United’s financial difficulties in the mid-2000s forced them to sell a number of talented players.

The likes of Alan Smith, James Milner, and Mark Viduka all left in the wake of Leeds’ relegation in 2004, while one year later, the Whites had to let another talented young star go.

Indeed, in 2005, Aaron Lennon left Leeds to join Tottenham Hotspur, and speaking on the Off the Shelf Podcast, the winger has now discussed how difficult it was to leave Leeds.

Lennon admitted that he genuinely didn’t want to leave Leeds at the time, but due to the financial situation in west Yorkshire, he had to go.

Burnley vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Premier League

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Aaron Lennon didn’t want to leave Leeds
The ‘amazing’ attacker spoke about leaving Elland Road.

“Honestly, it was a tough decision. I didn’t want to leave Leeds. I’ve been open about this. Its my hometown; I loved it. Even though we were relegated to the Championship and in financial difficulties, I still wanted to play for Leeds. They literally told me the money was that bad and my agent told me to meet the guys in London; they told me Daws was coming, Wayne Routledge, Tom Huddlestone, and I liked the sound of that, but I struggled for three or four months, I couldn’t settle; I was homesick,” Lennon said.

Shame
It’s such a shame that Leeds had to sell so many of these homegrown stars, because they had a real golden generation on their hands.