Tom Lees

Leeds United

Lees began his football career at Leeds United when he joined as an eight-year-old. As part of the club, he watched the side from a young age and developed an admiration for United's legendary defender Lucas Radebe. He progressed through the youth ranks and was involved in the England U16 set up in the summer of 2005. His development was later hindered during his years as a scholar with the club when a knee injury required an operation when he was 17. After he completed his rehabilitation, Lees turned professional in January 2009 when he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club. He studied at Boston Spa Academy during his time in the Leeds United Academy. He later experienced his first taste of senior football with Leeds when he was included in Simon Grayson's squad for the pre-season friendly tour of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and featured in the matches against Shelbourne and Glentoran. With senior centre-backs Rui Marques, Patrick Kisnorbo, Richard Naylor, Ľubomír Michalík, Leigh Bromby and Paul Huntington also in the first-team squad, Lees found his opportunities limited for the 2009–10 season with the club looking to sending him out on loan to gain experience.

Accrington Stanley loan spell

He joined League Two club Accrington Stanley on loan on 1 September 2009, of which Leeds manager Simon Grayson commented saying; "The move to Accrington will give him the opportunity to spend time in a first-team…

England Under-16s

Lees was involved in the England Under-16 set-up in the summer of 2005 as part of a promising group of Leeds United youngsters which also included Stefan Connor, Liam Darville, Tom Elliott, Ben Gordon, Jason Mycoe, Danny Rose, Tom Taiwo and Michael Woods. A knee injury hindered his progression in the England youth set-up whilst many of his United teammates went on to sign for Premier League sides before playing professional football for the Elland Road club.

England Under-21s

After an impressive start to the 2012–13 season with Leeds United which included two goals in his first four games, Lees was called up to the England U21 squad by manager Stuart Pearce for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification group matches against Azerbaijan and Norway. He made his debut for the side in the 1–0 victory over Norway at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium as a substitute; replacing goalscorer Connor Wickham in the 77th minute. After the game, Pearce praised Lees' versatility and leadership qualities and described him as a 'no-nonsense lad and no-nonsense player.' He retained his place in the squad for the crucial qualification play-off games versus Serbia the following month, appearing as a second- half substitute in the 1–0 second leg victory in Kruševac after replacing Bolton Wanderers striker Marvin Sordell. England won 2–0 on aggregate and qualified for the UEFA U21 Championships in 2013 in Israel. After the game, Lees was caught up…

As of end of 2025–26 season

Lees was born in Birmingham, West Midlands, but moved to Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, when he was four years old.