The South African Leeds United will regret not seeing more of at Elland Road | OneFootball

FLW look back in time at South African striker Davide Somma's time at Elland Road, with many Leeds United fans gutted to have not seen more.

Davide Somma could have been more than just a cult-hero at Leeds United, were it not for injuries cutting his time at the club short as well as his career as a professional.

Somma was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was born on March 26, 1985 but is most well known for his time spent at Leeds as a professional footballer who played as a striker.

He had a somewhat unique path to Leeds after he was raised in the United States. Somma had stints with various clubs, including Perugia and San Jose Earthquakes, before moving to England. His career really gained traction when he signed for Leeds in 2009 after a successful trial.

David Somma's time at Leeds United under Simon Grayson

Known for his natural goalscoring instincts, Somma's ability to find the net with either foot made him a standout talent, though his career was ultimately hampered by injury problems that stunted his progress. His time in football was spread across several clubs, but his most noteworthy spell came at Leeds.

Somma’s career at Leeds began with promise. After signing for the club, he initially spent time on loan at Lincoln City, where his goalscoring form earned him a recall. He returned to Leeds in time for the 2010/11 season and made an instant impact.

Somma netted 12 goals in 32 Championship appearances, quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite with his clinical finishing. He had a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and his ability to score all types of goals — from poacher’s efforts to long-range strikes — made him a key part of Leeds’ attacking set-up under Simon Grayson.

They were an attack-minded team that season, scoring the second-most goals in the division upon their return to the second tier from League One. Somma’s Leeds career is best remembered for his performances during that 2010/11 season, particularly his brace in a 3-1 victory over Millwall and his pivotal goals in key matches.

However, just as he was beginning to solidify his place as a potentially key part of the team, disaster struck. A serious knee injury during pre-season ahead of the 2011/12 campaign ruled him out for the entire season. Multiple surgeries followed, and despite his best efforts to return, Somma never fully recovered his previous form or fitness.

His Leeds career effectively ended in 2013 when he was released, having made just 13 more appearances after his initial injury. That said, at Elland Road, Somma achieved cult hero status despite his brief time in the spotlight. His rise from relative obscurity, combined with his natural goalscoring ability, endeared him to the Leeds faithful.

Fans admired his instinctive finishing; he was the type of striker who needed minimal time to get a shot off, and he was comfortable scoring with either foot. Somma’s clinical touch and composure in front of goal were what made him stand out, and it left many wondering just how good he could have been had he stayed injury-free.

Davide Somma is one of many 'what if' players at Leeds

It’s easy to imagine Somma as a long-term No.9 for Leeds. His profile suited the physical nature of English football, with his combination of strength, balance, and goal-scoring instinct making him a potential mainstay and key cog in the side. Having been so impressive and loved by so many, there was hope that he would be able to put it together consistently.

That did not materialise, but without the devastating injury setbacks, Somma could have been the focal point of Leeds’ attack for years to come, despite the presence of Luciano Becchio and Ross McCormach during that period. His time at the club was short-lived, but in that spell, he showed glimpses of a player who had all the attributes to succeed at a higher level.

His story remains a bittersweet one, filled with ‘what ifs’ that continue to resonate with fans today. Then, after leaving Leeds in 2013, Somma struggled to regain full fitness and never found a new club. Persistent knee issues forced him to retire from professional football in 2015 and robbed him of a great and potentially iconic career for both club and country.

That ended a career that had promised so much more. Since retiring, Somma has largely stayed out of the football spotlight and he turns 40 this year, which is sure to make numerous Leeds fans feel their age. Many of whom had hoped for more from the South African striker, especially with the connection to that country via the likes of Albert Johanneson and Lucas Radebe.