Leeds United told their £15m transfer ‘gamble’ has now paid off massively

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There is always an element of risk attached to every single signing, and that is certainly true of a player who arrived at Elland Road last summer with something of a point to prove in front of the Leeds United fans.

While Joe Rodon had already established himself as a fans favourite following an initial loan spell in West Yorkshire, while Jayden Bogle and Joe Rothwell arrived with a proven track record in the Championship, Manor Solomon joined in very different circumstances.

Absolute no question about his talent. This is a footballer who scored Champions League goals against Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Leeds witnessed Solomon’s brilliance first-hand in a Fulham shirt back in 2023, as well. The Israel international curling a sublime shot past Illan Meslier in the FA Cup.

But with injuries limiting the silky winger to just six Premier League starts across two seasons with Fulham and Spurs, could Solomon stay on the pitch long enough to justify the faith shown in him by the Leeds United bosses?

Leeds United’s Manor Solomon ‘gamble’ pays off with promotion secured

Well, with 28 starts, 37 Championship appearances and a combined tally of 20 goals and assists, that is a question Manor Solomon could hardly have answered more emphatically.

Much to the delight – and the relief – of Michael Bridges.

“I said it when we signed him, it was a gamble. The injuries he’d had, he was coming down a division…,” recalls Bridges, who spent five years at Leeds between 1999 and 2004.

“I thought ‘if we can manage him in the right way’. [Leeds succeeded] which I think the staff deserve all the credit for, to get him to where he is. But also himself, to play the amount of games, to get himself right.

“He’s found the love of the game again with Leeds United Football Club, to get Leeds back to the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	44	27	13	4	89	29	60	94
2	BurnleyBurnley	44	26	16	2	61	15	46	94
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	44	27	7	10	60	35	25	86
4	SunderlandSunderland	44	21	13	10	58	41	17	76

“It’s been a match made in heaven for the two of them. We’ve got the best out of Solomon, he’s got the best out of himself personally. It’s been his best season. So to see him celebrate, that’s what it’s all about. It’s the relief of the hard work [and] he’s fed off the fans.”

To his credit, Solomon never for a second gave the impression of a footballer who felt he was too good for the level, even if his often-dazzling performances suggested this was indeed a Premier League talent operating on the second-tier stage.

Jermaine Beckford labels Solomon deal a big success

As Tottenham look to cash in for around £15 million, and with Solomon clearly open to staying for the long-term in West Yorkshire, it would be a surprise if Leeds were to kick off next season without the former Shakhtar Donetsk star in their ranks.

Jermaine Beckford, meanwhile, believes that Solomon’s starring role in Leeds’ promotion campaign owes much to the belief and the patience afforded to him by Daniel Farke even during a hit-and-miss start to the season.

“The most important thing for Solomon, on a personal level, is playing matches,” explains Beckford, who was part of the Simon Grayson outfit who earned promotion out of League One in 2020.

“When you are in-and-out of teams because you’re injured or you’re out of form, the most important thing for you is to play week-in, week-out [again]. To be appreciated for the strengths you bring to the team and to work on the other elements as well.

“That’s what he’s done here. He’s been given an opportunity to work with a load of people who believe in him and trust him, and love him to an extent.

“It’s just worked really, really well.”