Aaron Lennon returns to Leeds United nearly 19 years after departing hometown for Tottenham

Leeds native Aaron Lennon is back with his hometown club nearly 19 years after departing for Tottenham Hotspur. Now 37, the retired England winger was a part of the backroom staff working with Leeds United’s under-18s at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

As the youth side’s coaching staff began preparing for the FA Youth Cup final warm-up, Lennon was seen in United kit and worked alongside head coach Rob Etherington for the evening. Much like Stewart Downing’s Thorp Arch posting, nothing has been said officially about Lennon’s involvement, but his immense experience at the top of the game can only be an asset to the youngsters.

Lennon was one of many success stories generated by Thorp Arch at the start of the century. As a 16-year-old, Lennon made his Whites debut during the campaign the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2003/04 before going on to play a more prominent role under Kevin Blackwell in the Championship.

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Like so many of the best players at Elland Road in that era, Lennon would ultimately be sold after making just 38 league appearances for the Whites. Tottenham would take him back to the top flight, where he played regularly for nine years, during which time he would play for England 21 times.

Everton would eventually take him on loan before a permanent switch. Burnley followed either side of a brief stint in Turkey. His last season playing was in 2021/22.

It remains to be seen how long he remains at Thorp Arch and how temporary this role is around his move into coaching.