Dominic moved from Liverpool to Elland Road just before the 2000-01 season for £4.25 million. His move was overshadowed by that of Viduka and Dacourt, and made noteworthy only because he was injured at the time and Leeds took a chance. The knee injury has dogged him throughout his Leeds career. His debut presaged great things as it was made in the 1-0 victory over AC Milan at home, in the Champions League. He was to score his first goal the following week when we stuffed the Turks of Besiktas 6-0.
Dominic regularly partnered Rio Weirdinand at the centre of our defence, but he has also played midfield and left full-back. Terry Venables gave Dominic Matteo the Captain's armband after Rio Ferdinard jumped ship for the more lucrative financial waters of Manchester United. At the end of the season, like Lucas Radebe, he played through considerable pain in his knee to keep Leeds United out of a relegation spot. An operation in the summer of 2003 has hopefully cleared up his long standing knee problem.
Dom gave up his international career lst season in a bid to extend his domestic career. Although selected for the full England squad several times, Dom choose to play for Scotland where he was born, in Dumfries on 28th April, 1974. He was also eligble to play for Italy through his grandparents!
