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When Lucas Radebe reached Leeds United in 1994 as part of a double signing with striker Phil Masinga, the club’s main reason for bringing him in was to keep his South African compatriot content.

However, while Masinga spent only two seasons in West Yorkshire, Radebe would eventually hang up his boots more than a decade later as a Leeds United legend, having captained the team through one of the most successful spells in the club’s recent history.

For Radebe, the move to Leeds mattered hugely, not only for his own career but for South African football as a whole.

“It was absolutely brilliant when I got to that stage in my professional career,” Radebe tells FourFourTwo.

“Before then, South Africans never knew if we would get the opportunity to play international football due to Apartheid and the country’s sporting isolation.

“When Leeds came in for me, I was still playing at Kaizer Chiefs. Joining Leeds was a once-in-a-lifetime chance that originally came with me babysitting the late Phil Masinga.

“I was included in the deal to keep him happy. But for me it was a calling, as I stayed there for more than a decade.”

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Radebe would later captain the South Africa national team at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and his wish to celebrate his roots was always evident during his spell at Leeds, where he made more than 250 appearances for the club.

“I’m incredibly proud of my Zulu roots,” he continues. “I remember the nickname ‘Chief’ was given to me by my ex-Leeds manager David O’Leary.

“That was in reference to being the chief of the Zulu tribe. I was very proud he and others understood my deep roots and accepted my culture.

“It meant a lot to both Phil and I that we were recognised as Africans and for what we achieved as a Zulu nation.”

Radebe is now a club ambassador, and it is obvious that the mutual respect between him and Leeds has built a lasting bond.

“As an individual, when people honour you as one of the greats, it speaks to the respect they have for the contributions I made to the club.”