The academy graduate failed to live up to expectations before his Elland Road departure in 2015.
Aidan White was one of the trailblazers for the recent crop of academy graduates that have gone on to make their mark in the Leeds United first-team in recent years. Unlike the likes of Lewis Cook, Sam Byram and Fabian Delph however, the left-back did not quite live up to expectations at Elland Road and is now following a different path that he hopes will lead him to the Premier League.
In acknowledgement of White’s 25th birthday, here is a look at his Leeds United career along with some of the defining images from his time with the Peacocks.
White made his debut at just 16 when he featured in a League Cup tie with Crystal Palace in August 2008. He went on to make nine appearances for the Whites in all competitions during the 2008/09 season, and it would have surely been more had injuries not plagued him from November onward. One of those appearances came in a 3-1 defeat away to Millwall in October.
It would not be long before he was on the international radar however, as he made his England under-19 debut in March 2009. He would subsequently switch allegiances to the Republic of Ireland and make 10 appearances for their under-21 side.
He would feature slightly more for Simon Grayson’s side during the 2009/10 campaign. While Leeds looked set for promotion back to the Championship, it was their run in the FA Cup that stole many of the headlines. As well as featuring in the 1-0 win over Manchester United, White also played in the side’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Spurs would come out on top in the replay.
Leeds’ Jermaine Beckford (C) celebrates scoring their second goal with Jason Crowe (R) and Aidan White (L)
The cup run appeared to dent Leeds’ form in the league however, making promotion go from being a formality at the start of the year to being a dream by the final day. White’s final appearance of the season came in a 2-0 home defeat to Millwall. Leeds still got across the line, and White claimed the Young Player of the Year award.
Despite the promise he had shown the previous year, White made just two appearances for Leeds in the 2010/11 campaign, and spent the majority of the year on loan with Oldham Athletic.
After returning ahead of the 2011/12 season, White made a disappointing start to the term, getting sent off in a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich. Like many of his teammates, his best form appeared to elude him early on.
Ipswich’s Jay Emmanuel Thomas (L) is fouled by Leeds’ Aidan White (R) who is later shown a red card by referee Andy D’urso
Nevertheless, White made 39 appearances in all competitions that season, which is especially impressive given that there had been a change in the management during the campaign. Unsurprisingly, he was attracting interest from the Premier League at the end of the season (via Sky Sports).
It was during the next season that the wide-man made his most memorable contribution in a Leeds shirt as he scored a stunning goal against Premier League side Everton in the League Cup. Picking the ball up some 35 yards out, he danced through the defence before curling an effort into the roof of the net. Leeds would go on to win 2-1.
Leeds United’s Aidan White (C) scores the first goal for his side
He would also be a part of the team that claimed another top flight scalp later that season as Tottenham were beaten in the FA Cup.
Despite making more than 70 appearances across the previous two seasons, White’s Elland Road future looked somewhat bleaker when he was loaned out to Sheffield United in 2013. A 2-1 home defeat to Burnley was his only league appearance for the Peacocks during the 2013/14 season before his switch to Bramall Lane.
Michael Kightly of Burnley (L) and Aidan White of Leeds United in action
He would make just nine more appearances for Leeds before departing for Rotherham in 2015. After failing to make much of an impact for the Millers, he joined Barnsley in 2016, helping them clinch the Football League Trophy and promotion to the second tier.
White (far-left) celebrating Barnsley’s play-off triumph
And after 11 games of the new season, White’s Barnsley sit 10th in the Championship table, one place above Leeds.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
