Signing from AC Milan following the sides UEFA Champions League victory back in 2003, Leeds United fans could be mistaken for thinking they had signed a gem when the club announced the loan signing of Brazilian international Roque Junior.
Having also claimed World Cup glory just a year prior, the then 27-year-old would help plug the gap following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate, and Dominic Matteo's move into the centre of midfield.
His time in West Yorkshire however will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as LeedsLive looks back at the calamitous spell both he and the team endured during the 2003/04 campaign.
READ MORE: Five winners and losers from Leeds United's enforced Premier League break
Winning all of the World Cup, Copa Libertadores and the Champions League, most would be forgiven for thinking Peter Reid had recruited wisely when the defender arrived from AC Milan. ''He is a World Cup winner and a European Champions League winner and he is a big boost for the squad," said Reid upon signing the centre-back. "He can play left-back or left centre-half, but is another quality player at the club.'' How very wrong those words would turn out to be.
Making his debut against Leicester City, 19 years ago today, Junior would quickly be introduced to the Premier League in dramatic fashion. Diving into tackles and being outplayed by Paul Dickov, who found the net twice as Leeds were beaten 4-0 on only the fourth game week of the season.
As mentioned, with Ferdinand and Woodgate gone, United were in turmoil. Off the pitch as well as on it. Funds had dried up and Reid was left to attempt to steady an already sinking ship, Roque Junior's additions was one of many that seemingly attempted to plaster over the cracks that were slowly swallowing the club up.
Fast forward to his home debut and things didn't get any better for the Brazilian international. United were beaten 2-0 at home by Birmingham City, with the defender dismissed after 77 minutes for a second bookable offence with Reid again praising his defender in the days that followed. Robbie Savage and Mikael Forssell were on target as the Blues scored twice late on.
"He was a little bit unlucky, getting sent off for two bookings - and the referee has made his decisions - I thought Roque was fantastic,'' began Reid when asked about Junior's poor start to life at Elland Road. "He showed against (Christophe) Dugarry and (Mikael) Forssell that he is quality and just why he plays for Brazil. He was terrific. I think he is a really good player."
A 4-0 defeat at Everton soon followed, with the total number of goals conceded during his spell at Elland Road soon amassing to 25 times in his seven appearances, failing to register a win and suffering six defeats. However, most will remember his antics in a thrilling then Worthington Cup tie against old rivals Manchester United.
Scoring twice in October 2003, Junior's aerial presence was something which most fans couldn't not believe existed, given his previous exploits where defenders would merely run rings around the 2002 World Cup winner, as he was quickly introduced to life here in the Premier League.
Meeting Seth Johnson's corner to hand Reid's side the lead, before an extra-time header following James Milner's delivery means Junior also boats two goals against one of the most successful sides in English football, to add to his already simply incredible Leeds CV. United eventually went on to crash out on the evening, losing 3-2 with two more cameos still to come.
A 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal before a 6-1 hammering at Fratton Park where Reid's last act as Whites boss was to deploy the once Champions League winner in the centre of midfield went down swimmingly, with the Brazilian never to be seen, much like Reid, ever again.
Failed spells in Germany, Qatar and Brazil soon followed, before a quick dip into the managerial world with both XV de Piracicaba and Ituano.
“It didn’t go as I expected on the pitch, because I needed time to adapt. Leeds had a great structure then, but they were going through a hard time financially and ended up being relegated and spending a long time away from the Premier League,'' he told the Guardian last year, when reflecting on his team at the club.
“With time I would have adapted to the Premier League, but it was a great experience for me. I view the opportunity to have played in England as a positive one.” We're not sure many United fans would agree looking back though...
READ NEXT:
· Go here for all the latest Leeds United news
· Rasmus Kristensen fitness hint as Leeds United right-back receives call-up
· Leeds United facing fixture pile-up as battle to squeeze in Manchester United trip begins
· Best and worst-case scenarios as Leeds United braced for Premier League slide during break
· Leeds United advantage could be difference for Jesse Marsch as home form builds
