Ex-Leeds Striker Heading to Spain to Complete Surprise La Liga Transfer

Getafe Close in on Former Chelsea and Leeds Forward Patrick Bamford

In football, surprises don’t come much bigger than this: Patrick Bamford, once the darling of Leeds United and a one-cap England international, is packing his bags for Spain. At 32, the striker is reportedly on the verge of completing a La Liga transfer to Getafe, a move few would have predicted when his contract at Elland Road was quietly terminated just days before the end of the summer window.

According to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, Bamford is preparing to fly out to Madrid to finalise talks. With his agent already in discussions, the expectation is that the deal will be wrapped up early this week, paving the way for Bamford to pull on the blue of Getafe as a free agent.

For Getafe, the signing would address an urgent need. After losing Christantus Uche to Crystal Palace on deadline day, they have been light up front, relying almost entirely on Borja Mayoral. Bringing in a proven striker like Bamford—albeit one with recent struggles—gives them depth, experience, and a touch of unpredictability.

From Chelsea Prodigy to Leeds Mainstay

Bamford’s journey has been anything but straightforward. A graduate of Chelsea’s academy, he spent years as one of English football’s most-travelled loanees. Stints at MK Dons, Derby, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Norwich, and Burnley were all part of his early career before he eventually found stability at Leeds United in 2018.

It was at Leeds that Bamford truly made a name for himself. Over seven years, he featured in 205 matches and netted 60 goals, becoming a fan favourite at Elland Road. Under the iconic Marcelo Bielsa, Bamford flourished, leading the line with relentless pressing and clever movement. He played a key role in Leeds’ long-awaited promotion back to the Premier League in 2020, scoring 16 goals in the Championship that season.

He didn’t stop there. In Leeds’ first year back in the top flight, Bamford silenced doubters with a 17-goal Premier League campaign in 2020-21, adding nine assists along the way. Suddenly, he wasn’t just a Championship striker; he was among the top forwards in England.

The Highs and Lows at Elland Road

Football, however, rarely allows players to stand still. After that stellar Premier League season, injuries and dips in form began to plague Bamford. Leeds as a club also endured turbulence, with managerial changes and relegation battles taking their toll.

Still, Bamford leaves behind a legacy at Elland Road. Two Championship titles—in 2020 and again in 2025—underline his importance during a transformative era for the club. He was not just a goalscorer, but also a symbol of persistence and resilience. For a player who bounced from loan to loan in his early 20s, to find a home and lift trophies at Leeds was no small achievement.

Getafe’s Striker Situation

Leeds United v Middlesbrough – Carabao Cup First Round

So why are Getafe making this move now? Quite simply, necessity. When Christantus Uche departed for Crystal Palace on deadline day, manager Jose Bordalás was left with just one natural No. 9—Borja Mayoral, a hard-working forward but one who cannot shoulder the entire season’s workload alone.

Bamford, therefore, represents both cover and competition. While his days as a guaranteed starter may be behind him, he brings qualities that can still be valuable in La Liga: hold-up play, movement between the lines, and a knack for finishing when confidence is high.

The big question is fitness. Bamford’s last season as a regular starter was back in 2020-21, when he played every league game for Leeds. Since then, injuries have disrupted his rhythm. Whether he can adapt quickly to Spanish football, with its emphasis on technical play and tactical organisation, remains to be seen.

Will Bamford Be a Starter at Getafe?

For now, expectations should be tempered. Borja Mayoral remains the first-choice striker, and Bamford will likely start on the bench as he adapts to the demands of La Liga. But as the season progresses, opportunities will arise—whether through rotation, injuries, or tactical tweaks.

What Bamford can provide is something different. He is not the quickest, nor the flashiest, but he can be a reliable outlet, bringing others into play and poaching goals when the chance arises. In Spain, where strikers are often asked to be technically sharp and intelligent with movement, his game may translate better than some expect.

Did Bamford Ever Play for England?

Middlesbrough FC v Leeds United FC – Sky Bet Championship

Yes, albeit briefly. In September 2021, Gareth Southgate handed Bamford his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra. At the time, Bamford was fresh off his breakout Premier League season and tipped to compete with the likes of Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a spot in the national team setup.

The match, however, was uneventful. Bamford lasted just 62 minutes, didn’t score, and hasn’t been called up since. For him, that lone cap remains both a proud moment and a reminder of what might have been.

A Surprise La Liga Transfer

That’s why this move feels so surprising. English strikers rarely venture into La Liga, especially in their 30s. Bamford could easily have stayed in the Championship, where his reputation is still strong, or sought a move to another Premier League side in need of depth. Instead, he has chosen a new adventure in Spain—a decision that speaks to both ambition and curiosity.

For Getafe, it’s a low-risk gamble. The transfer fee is zero, the wages are reportedly reasonable, and the upside is considerable. If Bamford clicks, they’ll have a proven goalscorer with European experience. If not, they have lost little.

What This Move Means for Bamford

For Bamford himself, this transfer is more than just a career move—it’s a chance to reinvent himself. After years of ups and downs in England, a fresh start abroad offers new perspectives, new challenges, and new opportunities.

La Liga has been a proving ground for many foreign players, and while not all succeed, those who adapt often extend their careers by several years. Bamford’s intelligence, professionalism, and technical base suggest he could thrive in the right environment.

The challenge will be consistency. He must stay fit, adapt quickly to Spanish football’s tempo, and embrace a role that may be more rotational than guaranteed.

Conclusion: A Bold New Chapter

So, here we are: Ex-Leeds striker Patrick Bamford heading to Spain to complete a surprise La Liga transfer to Getafe.

For Leeds fans, it will be strange to see him in another kit. For Bamford, it’s the beginning of an unexpected but potentially rewarding new chapter. And for Getafe, it’s a calculated risk that could pay off handsomely.

At 32, Bamford is no longer the rising star who once lit up Elland Road. But football loves a comeback, and La Liga may just provide the perfect stage for Bamford to remind everyone why he was once one of England’s most talked-about strikers.