Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
Over the years, Leeds United have been spearheaded by some sublime forwards.
The same applies to this season’s squad: a pivotal element of Leeds’ promotion push has been their dynamic attacking prowess, highlighted by an astonishing goal difference of +53, comfortably ahead of Burnley’s +44.
At the forefront of this goalscoring momentum is Joel Piroe, a summer signing in 2023 who has truly been a revelation with 15 goals to his name this season; trailing closely is Dan James with 12, while Brenden Aaronson has contributed a solid nine.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 42 | 25 | 13 | 4 | 82 | 29 | 53 | 88 |
| 2 |  BurnleyBurnley | 42 | 24 | 16 | 2 | 57 | 13 | 44 | 88 |
| 3 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 42 | 26 | 7 | 9 | 57 | 33 | 24 | 83 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 42 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 57 | 38 | 19 | 76 |
Throughout their illustrious history, the Yorkshire giants have been fortunate enough to showcase a myriad of talented forwards, from legendary figures like Allan Clarke to Ross McCormack, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Jack Harrison.
Now, we turn our focus to the players who have graced the Leeds United frontline in the 21st century to bring you our ranking of the top five forwards.
1 – Luciano Becchio
The Argentinian became a cherished cult hero during his four-and-a-half years at Elland Road.
Becchio joined Leeds when they were still in League One, netting a remarkable total of 87 goals during his time at the club.
Arriving in 2008 after captivating Gary McAllister during a trial, he made an unforgettable entrance, scoring just 25 seconds into his first league start at Yeovil Town, and following it up with a goal on his home debut in a resounding 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
In his inaugural season, he struck 19 goals across all competitions, despite Leeds facing heartbreak in the play-off semi-finals against Millwall.
The next season saw him face challenges with injuries and suspensions, yet he managed to score 15 goals, aiding Leeds in securing automatic promotion.
Manager Simon Grayson often referred to Becchio as Lazarus, due to his incredible ability to recover from injuries, always ready just in time for the next match.
He marked the momentous occasion of Leeds’ first Championship goal in three-and-a-half years on the opening day of the 2010/11 season against Derby County, and his electrifying 17-minute hat-trick as a substitute against Bristol City in November earned him the Championship PFA Player of the Month award.
Becchio amassed 50 goals, including a celebratory strike against Portsmouth, and he left a significant mark by scoring in his 100th appearance for Leeds against Barnsley, finishing that season with an impressive 20 goals.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 221 | 87 | 20 |
In the 2011/12 season, however, hamstring injuries limited him to just 11 goals. By New Year’s Day 2013, he became the 10th highest league scorer in the club’s history with his 76th goal.
Weeks later, he departed Elland Road, agreeing to join Norwich City after submitting a transfer request, much to the dismay of Leeds fans.
2 – Jermaine Beckford
Beckford joined Leeds from non-league Wealdstone in March 2006, but it wasn’t until later that his time at Leeds truly ignited.
He scored his first competitive goal for the club on August 18, 2007, during a thrilling 4-1 victory over Southend, finishing with 20 goals in 40 league starts and earning the League One Player of the Season award, as Leeds made a remarkable recovery from a -15 deficit to reach the play-off final, though they ultimately fell to Doncaster.
In the subsequent season, Beckford added another 34 goals across all competitions, securing his first hat-trick against Chester City and netting 10 goals in just 8 starts.
The unforgettable moments in his Leeds journey came thick and fast, including a famous goal at Old Trafford that knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup Third Round, alongside a thrilling double against Spurs.
He also capped the season with a decisive goal in a 2-1 comeback victory against Bristol Rovers at Elland Road, sealing automatic promotion for the team.
After a remarkable tally of 85 goals in 152 appearances for Leeds, the striker made a transition to Everton on a free transfer.
3 – Raphinha
Brazilian winger Raphinha arrived at Leeds United on October 5, 2020, signing a four-year contract for a reported £17 million.
He made his debut as a substitute against Wolves on October 19 and quickly followed that up with a full debut against Arsenal in November.
His first Leeds goal arrived on November 28, a crucial winner against Everton, marking Leeds’ first Premier League victory at Goodison Park since 1990. He concluded his debut season with six league goals.
In the 2021-2022 season, Raphinha kicked off with a stunning goal against Everton in August, a strike that garnered a nomination for Goal of the Month.
He finished as Leeds’ top scorer for the campaign with 11 goals, sealing the team’s Premier League survival with a vital penalty on the final day against Brentford. His passionate celebration with the fans became nothing short of iconic.
Despite interest from Arsenal and Tottenham and a lucrative £55 million agreement with Chelsea, Raphinha chose to prioritize a move to Barcelona.
He was ultimately omitted from Leeds’ pre-season tour to finalize his transfer to the Catalan giants. His time at Leeds was defined by pivotal goals and a profound connection with the fanbase.
4 – Kemar Roofe
Kemar Roofe signed for Leeds United on July 7, 2016, for a significant seven-figure fee. After initially playing on the left, an injury to Pablo Hernández prompted a shift into attacking midfield.
His first credited goal for Leeds came against Aston Villa on December 3, 2016, followed by another against Preston North End.
The 2017-18 season saw Roofe score a hat-trick in the EFL Cup against Newport County, in addition to netting his first league goal against Nottingham Forest.
He added another hat-trick against QPR, wrapping up the season as Leeds’ top scorer with 14 league goals.
In the 2018-19 season, Roofe earned Championship Player of the Month honours for August after finding the net four times in six games.
He did score the winner in the first leg against Derby County, marking his 15th goal of the season across all competitions. Unfortunately, injury kept him from the second leg, in which Leeds faced defeat.
In August 2019, after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season and entering the final year of his contract, Roofe made the move to Anderlecht, having netted an impressive 32 goals in 34 games for Leeds.
5 – Patrick Bamford
Bamford joined Leeds United on a four-year contract in July 2018, becoming the club’s most expensive signing since Robbie Fowler in 2001.
Though Bamford occasionally struggled with missed chances and lengthy goal droughts, he became a trusted star for Marcelo Bielsa, remaining a near-constant presence in what was the best Leeds side since the club’s relegation in 2004.
Since then, Bamford has undeniably evolved into a key figure in the team’s attack. He has made 201 appearances for the club, finding the back of the net 60 times across all competitions.
His most fruitful season arrived during the 2020-2021 Premier League campaign, where he scored 17 goals in 38 appearances.
| Patrick Bamford | Value |
| Goals | 60 |
| Assists | 23 |
| Appearances | 201 |
| Minutes per goal | 206 |
In the Championship, he played a crucial role during the promotion-winning 2019-2020 season, netting 16 goals in 45 appearances.
In the ongoing 2024-2025 season, Bamford has featured in 13 Championship matches along with one League Cup game, yet he has yet to find the net with him being denied a goal in Leeds’ recent win against Middlesborough due to offside.
Even without the goals this season, his overall contribution to Leeds United over the years has been tremendously significant, characterised by vital strikes and consistent performances.
He renewed his commitment to the club with a new contract in August 2021, extending his tenure until June 30, 2026.
Special Mention – Pablo Hernandez
Despite his not being an all-out forward, we couldn’t not mention Pablo Hernandez. His five-year tenure at Leeds United, which began in August 2016, is remembered as a glorious period that culminated in Premier League promotion under Marcelo Bielsa.
He arrived after a mid-table finish, and ‘El Mago’ lived up to his nickname, playing a pivotal role in sparking hope among the Elland Road faithful.
Under Gary Monk, Hernandez’s creative flair alongside Chris Wood’s goal-scoring talents offered a glimpse of the long-awaited return to the top flight.
His breathtaking opening goal against Cardiff City underscored his ability to find space and deliver masterful finishes.
Throughout four Championship seasons, the Spanish international netted 36 goals, provided 39 assists, and marvelously created 386 goal-scoring opportunities, topping the league in chances created in 2018 with an impressive 116.
More than mere numbers, Hernandez elevated his teammates and injected excitement into every Leeds attack, reminiscent of future stars like Raphinha.
His knack for creating unforgettable moments, including his lightning-fast strike against West Brom, forged an unwavering bond with the fans, embodying a special feeling that will forever resonate at Elland Road.