After ending a terrific eight-and-a-half year spell with Leeds United, Pascal Struijk leaves Elland Road with the best wishes of everyone at the club as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.

There have been countless happy memories for the Dutchman during his stay in West Yorkshire, including being crowned a second division champion twice and he took the opportunity to reflect on nearly 200 appearances for the Whites and so much more.

“How do I feel now that my time at Leeds is coming to an end? I feel quite sad actually,” the teary 26-year-old began as he sat down in front of the LUTV cameras. “It has been a very long time for me from joining a club where I was a very young, inexperienced boy and now leaving as a father with two kids, eight-and-a-half years later.

“So, the journey for me and the impact it has had on me, I don’t know where to start really because there is so much that happened. Being welcomed with open arms by all the staff, all the people at the club, everyone that has been there along the journey with me – it has been great. It is so hard for me to really put it into words on how I feel for the club because there is just a lot of love and so many good things for me to say.

“I joined a club which, at the time, was not too familiar for me but right now leaving, I feel like I have been welcomed into this big family, all the people that have shown me love. They show so much passion every week and they deserve the best. I think throughout my time, I have always tried to give my 100 per cent for the club and the fans have given that back to me.

“For me to reflect on what I have done at the club, I feel like it is a hard thing to do because I am quite a humble, down-to-earth guy that doesn’t really look at all the stuff I achieve.”

From walking through the doors at Thorp Arch as a nervous 18-year-old, establishing himself in the Academy setup and breaking into the first team, those special memories for Pascal feel like a lifetime ago given the number of ups and downs that have followed in a near-decade of exemplary service for the centre-half.

A two-time Sky Bet Championship winner, the versatile defender’s 196 appearances for the Whites, 37 matches proudly sporting the captain’s armband and passion for engaging with the local community off the field cements his status as a true modern day great with the club. Reflecting on so many special periods is difficult, he admits.

“It has been a roller coaster of emotions. I came here so young. Then, of course making my debut for the club, getting promoted to the Premier League, being relegated, trying to gain promotion again, a very unfortunate end at Wembley twice, there are so many different memories I have at the club. I am just so thankful for everything that I have done and everything that I have experienced here. It made me grow into the person I am today.

“The memories I have from being a kid here at 18-years-old, I had to prove myself to Leeds that I was good enough to join the club. Then afterwards, I experienced my first game at Elland Road, which was crazy because I was amazed by the passion that I had seen from the fans in the stadium. When I arrived, it was a little bit of a different scene. There was a lot of changes going around the place. Now that I am leaving, it feels like sometimes you have got to step away from the things you love on a high.

“From making my debut to celebrating Huddersfield score a goal because we were promoted the first time to even the lows for me, they are important too because they are part of the journey that we all go through.”

After bouncing back to the Premier League at the first time of asking – the staggering 100-point tally guaranteeing a second Championship title for Pascal – the streets of the city flooded with thousands of supporters for arguably the most memorable day of all, the open top bus parade, where there wasn’t just one but two winners’ medals around the defender’s neck.

“I wore my first medal because I was so proud of the first time,” he smiled. “I feel like I put it on because all the people that were there deserved to celebrate for the second time as well, because we never really got that party because of Covid. And then the stories about the second… I mean, everybody can see from the videos to the experiences, all the fans that came to the parade.

“I have never experienced anything like it and I don’t think there is another city that can celebrate like Leeds in this way. It was incredible being on top of the bus, seeing everyone celebrate. All the joy that I got to bring people, it has been incredible for me to do that for you guys.”

Last campaign, the Whites performed impressively returning to the top-flight, finishing in 14th place and enjoying an Emirates FA Cup run to the semi-finals of the competition. He made 37 appearances in all competitions and led from the front, excelling in his vice-captaincy role. From the once-fledgling footballer taking his first steps into the game to his senior position in a Premier League side, each teammate from then and now left their impression.

Throughout his time in the first team setup at Elland Road, Struijk shared the pitch with 85 different squad members in competitive competition and believes every single one of those have positively contributed towards his development.

“So, yeah, a message for my teammates that I played with over all the time that I have been there. Thank you for all the good memories, the lovely experiences we experienced together, the highs and the lows because they are all part of the journey. You have given me a lot. You made me a better player. You are a big part of my life.”

Discussing the around-the-clock support from the staff at Thorp Arch and the stadium itself, the 26-year-old added: “This is something I would love to say. It is also a big thank you because only people that work behind the scenes get to know how much work you put in every single day. You help us get better. I have spent a lot of time with you – physios, food nutritionists, media staff. You guys are amazing. I feel like in all the time that I have been there, I got to build a really good relationship with you.”

Many players come and go through the doors at football clubs. Some have the occasional moments and others leave a lasting impression. The latter works both ways, as well. The Leeds United fanbase, famed around the world for their unwavering passion, bring with them a backing and atmosphere few others do. Pascal, battling through the lump in his throat, finished by paying an emotional tribute to those who call Elland Road their second home.

“It is crazy the amount we have experienced together from highs and lows. It has been incredible and I am incredibly thankful for all the love I have received from your side. If I had to write down a message for the Leeds fans, I would start by saying thank you because you guys are the ones that show up.

“You have always given me all the support. I have been blessed playing in a stadium that is full every single time. You guys have been incredible. Every home game, every away game, the support was always there. The last thing I have got to say is, yeah, until we meet again.”

Marching on Together.