The South African remains a Leeds United icon.
Former Leeds United right-back Danny Mills has been discussing his former team-mates at Elland Road with the club website – including who the toughest player he played with at the club was.
Mills, who joined Leeds from Charlton Athletic in 1999, spent five years at Elland Road and played with some great players during his time at the club.
Danny Mills in action for Leeds
When it came to choosing the toughest of the lot he had plenty of choice from the time he spent at the club – although in the end he settled on a fairly predictable option – Lucas Radebe.
He told LUTV:
“It has to be the chief.
“Lucas was just incredible. His knees were shot to pieces, his back wasn’t great, he was 175-years-old.
“You’d think the guy can hardly walk then he’d go out and train, play the next day, and be absolutely magnificent.
“Never complained. Kicked people, smiled. Got kicked, smiled. That was the chief.”
There is certainly not a Leeds United fan out there who would disagree with the comments from Mills regarding Radebe.
Lucas Radebe
The South African remains a club legend for his performances on the pitch and his ability to play through the pain of his severe injury problems.
Radebe arrived at Elland Road from Kaizer Chiefs back in 1994 and went on to become an icon at the club.
Over the course of 11 years with Leeds he became their number one defender and helped them to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001 – although he struggled with injury trouble toward the end of his career.
But there is no doubt the chief will go down as one of the club’s all-time hard men.
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