Cody Drameh became the latest academy player to be handed his senior bow when he started against Arsenal in the Whites’ Carabao Cup tie.
Though he couldn’t stop Leeds exiting the competition, the 19-year-old acquitted himself very well and - alongside Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville, who joined him on the pitch for the second half - was a fantastic advertisement for the excellent recruitment and development going on at Thorp Arch.
But a strong Leeds United academy is not a 2021 phenomenon. For years, the Whites have handed senior debuts to players who have gone on to do extraordinary things - and some have impressed from their very first game.
Here are 21 great players who played senior football for the first time at Leeds.
13. Eddie Gray
Aged 17, Eddie Gray made his senior debut for Leeds in a 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in January 1966. Photo: Evening Standard
14. Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon made history in August 2003. As he was substituted in for Mark Viduka in the 78th minute at White Hart Lane, the winger became the youngest Premier League player aged 16 years and 129 days. The game ended 2-1 to Spurs. Photo: Ian Walton
15. Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell made his first-team debut in March 1996 after three seasons with the Whites youth side. The Australian started for Leeds against Middlesborough at Elland Road before being subbed off for Rodney Wallace as the home side fell to a 1-0 defeat. Photo: Mark Thompson
16. Lewis Cook
Lewis Cook made his first-team debut in the 2014/2015 season opener, coming off the bench 64 minutes into a Championship match against Millwall. Photo: Ryan Browne
17. Jonny Howson
18-year-old Jonny Howson was handed his senior bow, in a league cup clash against Barnet in September 2006, by Kevin Blackwell, who was sacked after the game. Howson, who grew up in Morley, was awarded Man of the Match for his league debut against Hull City three months later. Photo: Ian Harber
18. Paul Robinson
19-year-old Paul Robinson kept a clean sheet on his first team debut in a goalless draw with Chelsea at Elland Road in October 1998. Photo: Ben Radford