The final playing link with the Premier League comes to an end for Leeds United this week with the departure of Frazer Richardson.

Frazer, whose contract expires on June 30, was the club's longest-serving player and was the only member of last season's squad to have featured in the top-flight for the club.

The 26-year-old, who made 173 senior appearances after progressing from the club's Academy system, made his first team debut in the UEFA Cup in 2002 when Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv were beaten 4-1 in Florence, on a night when Alan Smith scored all four goals.

Frazer made his debut as a 66th minute substitute, replacing Gary Kelly, the man who was to prevent him from holding down a regular spot at right-back throughout the early part of his United career. 

The Rotherham-born youngster made his full league debut for Stoke in January 2003 during the first of two loan spells with the Potters and he featured in the Premier League for the first time in August 2003 against Southampton at Elland Road.

But his first Leeds start didn't come until January 2004 when, making his third appearance for the club, he played against Arsenal in the FA Cup at Elland Road during Eddie Gray's tenure as manager. He went on to make three further Premier League appearances, including the final home game against Charlton and the last game at Chelsea.

He marked the opening game of our first Championship season with his first ever goal, against Derby County at Elland Road, and went on to make 40 appearances that season, the majority on the right-side of midfield or as a substitute.

The following season he again played much of his football on the right-side of midfield and after scoring against Sheffield United at Elland Road in October, he scored his most significant goal for the club in May when he crowned a terrific performance with United's second goal in the 2-0 Play-Off semi-final win at Preston.

It wasn't until the 2006/07 season and the arrival of Dennis Wise that Frazer was finally handed the opportunity to take over the right-back role and he featured regularly during the second half of that season in his favoured role.

Frazer figured regularly during our first season in League One and was handed the captain's armband last summer. He figured regularly until the game at Brighton in January when injury ruled him out of much of the remainder of the season.

Frazer made his final appearance, as a substitute, when Northampton were beaten 3-0 at Elland Road in May.

Frazer is now out of contract and he parts company with the club with the very best wishes of all at Elland Road.