Bard made ‘easy choice’ to join ‘historic’ Leeds

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

New Leeds United defender Melvin Bard says it was an “easy choice” to join the club as he prepares to begin life at Elland Road against Brighton in the Premier League.

Leeds brought in seven signings this transfer window, with Bard one of two new arrivals on loan on deadline day as they look to continue their strong start to the season.

After back-to-back wins over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and EFL Cup, Leeds then came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Brentford last time out.

Leeds are looking to win both of their first two away games in a league season for the first time since 2019-20, and for the first time in the top-flight since 1973-74.

And Bard is excited about what is to come with Leeds this term.

“Leeds is a historic club in the Premier League, so it was an easy choice,” he told LUTV. “Leeds has a great history, which makes the club an attractive one.

“And the fans, the atmosphere – there are many players that told me that it was hard to play in Elland Road Stadium. So, all of this is why I am very happy to be here and what I know about the club and the squad.

“Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream of mine, ever since I was a child. And when the opportunity came, I seized it immediately.

“The target for me is to play as much as possible, starting games and helping the team as much as possible to reach the targets.”

Ready to fight for the shirt! pic.twitter.com/LrAUQcM6Ei

— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 1, 2026

Brighton have had a mixed start to the season; after blowing away 10-man Aston Villa in their season-opener, they were then narrowly beaten 4-3 by Chelsea last time out.

Like Leeds, they also bolstered their squad late in the transfer window, completing a move for Millwall’s Femi Azeez.

He has signed a four-year contract with the Seagulls, having impressed by scoring 15 goals and assisting 13 in 77 appearances for Millwall.

Brighton sporting director Mike Cave said, “We are delighted to add Femi to the squad. He arrives off the back of an excellent season with Millwall, having played a key role for them as they finished in the play-offs.

“He was one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship, and we’re delighted to have finally agreed his transfer, and we are now looking forward to working with him.”

We are pleased to confirm the signing of Nigerian international winger Femi Azeez from Millwall on a four-year contract, for undisclosed terms! 

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@BHAFC) September 2, 2026

Pascal Gross could become the fourth German player to make 250 Premier League appearances, along with Dietmar Hamann, Robert Huth and Bernd Leno.

Gross scored in his last appearance, heading in a 95th-minute goal against Chelsea, and the last player to score on their 250th appearance was Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Leeds against Manchester City last November.

Leeds United – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

All 15 of Calvert-Lewin’s Premier League goals for Leeds have come from inside the box, the joint-most of any Whites player without scoring from outside the area, along with Lee Chapman.

The striker has applied 104 high-intensity pressures in the opposition half this season, with only Hull City’s Oliver McBurnie (105) doing so more often.

Brighton are unbeaten in their last 10 home league games against Leeds (W7 D3), keeping eight consecutive clean sheets against the Whites at the Amex.

Leeds have played more matches without winning at the Amex than any other stadium in their entire history (P10 D3 L7). In their eight goalless games there since 2013-14, 34 different players have had a shot without success.

But Leeds won their last league game against Brighton in May, a 1-0 win at Elland Road. They have not won consecutive league games against the Seagulls since a run of three between October 2008 and November 2009 in League One, while they have never done so in the top-flight.

Following their 4-0 win against Aston Villa on MD1, Brighton are looking to win both of their opening two home games in a league season for the first time since 2016-17, and for the first time ever in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, Leeds have won both of their away games in all competitions this season, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the Premier League and 2-0 in the EFL Cup. It is just one fewer away victory than they managed in 23 games last term (W3 D12 L8).

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