Luke Murphy

Leeds United

2013–14 season In June 2013, Crewe accepted bids believed to be over £1 million from both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers for Murphy. Despite this on 1 July, Leeds United confirmed the signing of Murphy on a three-year deal. Crewe manager, Steve Davis revealed the transfer fee for Murphy was above £1 million. The signing of Murphy was the first time that Leeds had spent over £1 million on a transfer fee since signing Richard Cresswell in 2005.

Murphy made his debut against Brighton & Hove Albion on 3 August in the first game of the season, he scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner in the game to give Leeds a 2–1 victory. On 12 April 2014, Murphy scored both goals in Leeds' 2–0 victory against Blackpool. On 15 April, Leeds owner Massimo Cellino revealed after the game that he advised the then Leeds manager Brian McDermott to play Murphy in a more attacking midfield role.

2014–15 season On 1 August 2014, Murphy was assigned the Leeds number seven shirt for the 2014–15 season. On 27 August 2014, Murphy was sent off in the first half against Bradford City to condemn Leeds to a shock 2–1 League Cup defeat against the League One opposition.

After a long spell out of favour under new head coach Neil Redfearn Murphy returned to Leeds' starting lineup in the FA Cup 1–0 defeat against Sunderland on 4 January 2015. He started the following league game, a 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 10 January. He scored in consecutive games for Leeds, firstly helping to earn a point by equalising in a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City on 17 January. He then scored the winner, with a long range strike, in a 1–0 win against Bournemouth on 20 January. As a result of his rise in form over this period Murphy was subsequently nominated for the January 2015 Championship Player of the Month award. Murphy followed this up with a long range strike in a 2–0 victory against Reading on 10 February.

On 2 May 2015, Murphy was one of five players nominated for the Fans Player of the Year Award at Leeds United's official end of 2014–15 season awards ceremony, but lost out to eventual winner Alex Mowatt. Murphy also lost out to goal of the season for his goal against Bournemouth to teammate Rodolph Austin's volley against Watford.

2015–16 season On 9 July 2015, it was announced that Murphy would miss all of pre-season and the beginning of the season after picking up a knee injury which required surgery during pre season training.

Despite being out injured, on 14 July 2015, Murphy signed a new four-year contract at the club keeping him at Leeds until the summer of 2019. The contract saw Murphy actually sign on reduced terms as a considerable sign of his commitment to stay with the club. On 31 July 2015, Murphy was given the number 8 shirt for the upcoming 2015–16 season. After missing all of the pre season and the beginning of the Championship season, on 12 August 2015, Murphy returned for Leeds as a substitute in the League Cup against Doncaster Rovers, Murphy scored a penalty in a penalty shootout with Leeds losing 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. On 2 April 2016, Murphy scored his first goal of the season and Leeds' only goal in the 2–1 loss to Rotherham.

2016–17 season

He made his first appearance for Leeds on 23 August 2016, starting in Leeds League Cup fixture against Luton Town.

By 24 September, Murphy had fallen so far out of favour that he, along with Toumani Diagouraga and Ross Turnbull, was no longer listed in the Leeds United match programme as a member of the squad, and all three were training with the under-23 team.

Burton Albion loan On 6 January 2017, Murphy left Leeds for fellow Championship side Burton Albion, on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season. On 28 January 2017, Murphy scored his first goal for Burton against Queens Park Rangers. He impressed during his time at Burton, and formed a vital partnership in midfield alongside midfielder Jackson Irvine and helped the club to avoid relegation after finishing 20th.

On 3 July 2017, he re-joined Burton on loan for the entirety of the 2017–18 season. Playing in a deeper central midfield position for most of the 2017/18 season, he scored his first goal of the season on 15 April 2018, in a 3–1 victory against Derby County.

Return to Leeds With speculation that he was not in Marcelo Bielsa's plans, on 26 July 2018, Murphy was not given a shirt number for Leeds for the upcoming 2018–19 season for Leeds.

Bolton Wanderers He was released from his Leeds contract, a year early, on 1 August 2018. The following day he signed for Bolton Wanderers on a two-year contract. He made his debut for Bolton on 4 August 2018 when starting in Wanderers' 2–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. His first goal for Bolton was on 22 October 2019, as he scored the opening goal in Bolton's first win of the 2019/2020 season, a 2–0 win against Bristol Rovers. On 26 June it was announced Murphy would be one of 14 senior players released at the end of his contract on 30 June.

Crewe Alexandra On 4 September 2020, Murphy signed a two-year deal to return to Crewe Alexandra, and played in a 2–1 defeat by Lincoln City in the first round of the EFL Cup at Gresty Road the following day, 5 September 2020. Reappointed Crewe captain for the 2021–2022 season, he scored the first (and only) goal of his second spell at Crewe, the winner in a 2–1 victory at Morecambe, on 29 December 2021. Following relegation to League Two, Murphy was released by Crewe at the end of the 2021–22 season, though he continued to train with the club to maintain his fitness during the summer.

Macclesfield Murphy joined Northern Premier League Division One West side Macclesfield in late August 2022. He helped them win the title during his first season which meant promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division. He was released at the end of the 2023–2024 season.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2008–09 League One

2009–10 League Two

2010–11 League Two

2011–12 League Two

2012–13 League One

161!!21!!7!!2!!6!!0!!12!!2!!186!!25

2013–14 Championship

2014–15 Championship

2015–16 Championship

2016–17 Championship

103!!7!!3!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!111!!7

2016–17 Championship

57!!2!!2!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!61!!2

2018–19 Championship

2019–20 League One

40!!2!!3!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!45!!2

2020–21 League One

2021–22 League One

78!!1!!2!!0!!3!!0!!3!!0!!86!!1

2022–23 NPL Division One West

2023–24 Football League Trophy: 2012–13

Macclesfield Northern Premier League Division One West: 2022–23

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13 League One Crewe Alexandra Player of the Season: 2012–13