Eddie Lewis signed for Leeds United from Preston NE on a free transfer as he was out of contract. In the previous 2004-05 season he had been influential in Preston North End's successful season which saw them reach the Coca-Cola Championship play-off Final, where they lost out to West Ham. Interestingly, he turned down a new contract with Preston because he felt Leeds United offered him a better chance of reaching the Premiership in 2005-06. He was almost right, Leeds reached the play-off final under Kevin Blackwell but Eddie lost out again, this time 3-0 to Watford.
Eddie Lewis was popular at Leeds adding a touch of class to the left of midfield where he had displaced the popular Danny Pugh in his first season. Despite his efforts Eddie was part of the squad that was relegated from the Football League Coca-Cola Championship to League One - the first time Leeds United have ever been relegated to the third tier of professional football in England.
Although Leeds United made a winning start to the 2007-08 League One campaign Eddie was always going to be in demand and this time it was Derby County and the irresistable lure of Premier League football that came calling.
"I wanted to keep Eddie but this is a wonderful opportunity for him," said the Leeds manager Dennis Wise after the move was announced.
"He phoned me up and I was never going to stand in his way and say 'sorry, you're not going'. I think he would have been annoyed with me if I'd have done that."
Dennis Wise has hinted that several players were allowed to leave in the summer (2007) because he did not think they were team players or had the stomach for the fight - but Eddie Lewis was clearly not one of those. Of the departing American international Wise said,
"He's been a good pro, he's done very well for us and I'm chuffed to bits he has got an opportunity like this".
Eddie Lewis also goes with the thanks and best wishes of all of us here at www.leedsutd365.co.uk
Links to previous seasons' player profile on www.leedsutd365.co.uk to:
2006-07 relegation from Championship
2005-06 Championship Play-offs
This page last updated: 21 August 2007 |
