The “Mark Viduka Stand” stands proudly at Knight’s Stadium in Australia, the home of Melbourne Knights. Funnily enough, the name came from the stand being funded by the money the club got from selling him to Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia Zagreb at the time).
A low energy yet talented striker in his youth, Viduka turned the heads of many of Europe’s big scouts by scoring a hatful in his first two seasons with the Melburnians. Viduka grabbed the chance to leap to the homeland of his father (Ukrainian mother).
With the Croatian club as a pedestal for him to spring into European football, he made his way to England after a stop in Scotland with Celtic. Leeds United signed him up ahead of the 2000-01 season and he became the second glaring-hot Australian at the club, alongside Harry Kewell.
Their planned partnership took some time until it came to fruition due to the latter’s injury problems, and went it did, it was amazing- albeit short lived.
Indeed, ‘Dukes’ time at the Yorkshire club was one to remember. Bankrolled by then chairman Peter Ridsdale, Leeds became a Premier League force at great haste.
Manager David O’Leary had the likes of Michael Bridges, Darren Huckerby, Robbie Fowler and Alan Smith at his disposal during his tenure, Viduka seemed like an unnecessary addition to his arsenal.
Viduka answered his critics by hitting double figures for four consecutive seasons in a row with Leeds, and combined with Kewell to score 34 of the club’s 40 goals in the 2002-03 season. Indeed the striker was as valuable for punters as Irish online Casinos.
A stocky striker with the deftest of touches, Mark Viduka was a nightmare for the Premier Leagues most formidable defenders.
There’s no better example of that than his contribution during Leeds’ 4-3 win over Liverpool – a Premier League classic.
Viduka v Liverpool
Leeds has incredible 10 injuries ahead of their 2000 clash at Elland Road, facing an impressive Reds side filled to the brim with attacking talent, it was expected to be a walkover for the Merseysiders.
Adding to their pain, Liverpool were two-nil to the good within 18 minutes courtesy of goals from Sami Hyypia and Christian Ziege.
Enter ‘Dukes’.
After Alan Smith charged down a clearance, the Aussie was at hand to send a marvelous dinked finish over Sander Westerveld to make it 2-1. Against heavy pressure, Viduka soon made it to by heading in a superb Gary Kelly Cross.
Leeds were dealt a further hammer blow when Patrick Berger made it 3-2 to the away side – Cleary Viduka was having none of it.
The striker shrugged off the Czech goalscorer and finished with the ball hitting the inside of the post to yet again equalise.
Not willing to rest on his laurels, the Aussie wrote himself into the history books by yet again chipping Westerveld with an audacious dink.
Whatever happened to Mark Viduka
With Leeds suffering from financial difficulties and facing relegation after failing to continue qualifying to the Champions League, Viduka was sold to Middlesbrough and later played for Newcastle United after he was released when the Magpies got relegated in 2009.
He was a valuable goalscorer throughout his career and always reliable for nicking a goal even at the most dire of situations. Back to his roots, Viduka could be seen around Melbourne coaching some kids or attending the Knight’s matches with his children.
Nationality: Australian
Position: Centre Forward
Goals Scored: 92
Total Appearances: 240
Yellow Cards: 18
Red Cards: 2
Premier League Teams Played for: Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United