Nearly 15 years after retiring at Leeds United, Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe has revealed why he turned down a move to arch-rivals Manchester United, despite the prospect of winning more silverware with the Red Devils.
Following his switch from Kaizer Chiefs to Leeds in 1994, Radebe spent more than a decade at Elland Road, where he made 235 appearances for the club, most of which were with the captain's band around his arm.
Scroll through the mini-gallery above to see some images of Radebe throughout his playing career
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Despite failing to win any major honours with Leeds, the former Bafana Bafana star became one of the Premier League's foremost defenders during his time with the club, and was linked with some of the biggest sides from around Europe in his prime.
Among Radebe's suitors were arch-rivals United and Serie A giants Lazio and Roma, but the former Amakhosi defender has now revealed that he never had any intention of leaving the club that gave him his big break.
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"I believed in values," the 51-year-old told The Athletic.
"Coming from South Africa, our tradition and culture was embedded in me. I was lucky to be taken to the Premier League by Leeds United so I'd be loyal to the club.
"I had an opportunity to go to Manchester United and I turned it down. Lazio, Roma, I turned them down too. I'd settled well at Leeds and they looked after me. I wanted to grow with the club, as a person and a footballer.
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"If I'd gone to Manchester United or any other club, I don't think I'd have achieved what I achieved at Leeds United.
"Forget about trophies and other things. No. To have the impact I did at that club, to be the leader I was, would I have achieved that at Manchester United?
"There I would only have been one of the squad. The way I saw it, I belonged to Leeds United."