Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe has been handed a big role at newly-promoted Premier League club Leeds United.
Radebe, a popular figure among Leeds fans, has been named as the club’s first Global Ambassador, a major role that will see him popularise the club around the world.
The former centre-back’s appointment was confirmed by Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear on Tuesday, a day after the Yorkshire club secured promotion back to the Premier League, two years after their relegation.
Radebe enjoys cult status among Leeds fans
Kinnear confirmed Radebe’s new role on Marawa Sports Worldwide, expressing confidence that the former Kaizer Chiefs star will do well.
Popularly known as The Chief, Radebe enjoys cult status among Leeds supporters with his popularity still all-time high, despite last playing for the club over two decades ago.
Radebe played for Leeds from 1994 and 2005, and would later captain the team and was part of the side that finished fourth in the Premier League in the 1998-99 season before improving to third the following campaign, to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
What did The Chiefs achieve in Yorkshire?
He was captain when the club reached the semi-final of the Champions League, and was awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award at the end of the 1999-2000 season, attracting interest from bitter rivals Manchester United, AS Roma and AC Milan chose to stay at Leeds, a decision that endeared him to the club’s fans.
Radebe’s popularity among Leeds supporters saw a fan name his newborn son after him last August while in 2008, a local brewery named their beer brand after him.
Known for his ball-playing abilities and impressive tackles, Radebe, who joined Leeds for £250,000 from Chiefs, was part of the Bafana Bafana team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil and captained the team at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
