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'{{EngvarB|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Leroy Lita | image = Leroy Lita.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Lita playing for Middlesbrough | fullname = Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita<ref name="Statistics">{{cite web | title = Statistics | url = http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/34/3/0,,12306~131892,00.pdf | publisher = Premier League | accessdate = 11 January 2010 | format=PDF}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|12|28|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Kinshasa]], Zaire | height = {{convert|1.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | position = [[Striker]] | currentclub = [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] | clubnumber = 18 | youthyears1 = 1999–2001 | youthclubs1 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] | years1 = 2002–2005 | years2 = 2005–2009 | years3 = 2008 | years4 = 2008 | years5 = 2009–2011 | years6 = 2011– | years7 = 2012 | years8 = 2013 | clubs1 = [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] | clubs2 = [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] | clubs3 = → [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] (loan) | clubs4 = → [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] (loan) | clubs5 = [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] | clubs6 = [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] | clubs7 = → [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan) | clubs8 = → [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] (loan) | caps1 = 85 | goals1 = 31 | caps2 = 83 | goals2 = 20 | caps3 = 8 | goals3 = 3 | caps4 = 16 | goals4 = 7 | caps5 = 78 | goals5 = 20 | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 2 | caps7 = 10 | goals7 = 3 | caps8 = 17 | goals8 = 6 | nationalyears1 = 2005–2007 | nationalteam1 = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]] | nationalcaps1 = 9 | nationalgoals1 = 6 | club-update = 18:14, 7 May 2013 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = }} '''Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita''' (born 28 December 1984) is a [[Association football|footballer]] who plays for [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]. Lita was a product of the [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] [[youth system]]. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] and [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], where his form helped him earn a place with the [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21]] side. He has also played on loan with [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]], [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] and [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]. ==Club career== ===Bristol City=== Born in [[Kinshasa]],<ref>{{cite news | date=1 October 2005 | url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9753,1582421,00.html | title=Chelsea finishing school graduate has eyes on Premiership honours | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | accessdate=23 August 2006 | location=London | first=Jon | last=Brodkin}}</ref> Lita signed his first professional contract for [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] at the age of 18 at the start of the [[2003-04 in English football|2003–04]] season, after being discovered by scout Roger Barton.<ref>{{cite news | date=1 April 2007 | url=http://www.www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/reading/article1596265.ece | title=Lita the fighter | work=[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]] | accessdate=5 May 2007 | location=London | first=Brian | last=Doogan}}</ref> It wasn't until [[Brian Tinnion]] took over from [[Danny Wilson (footballer born 1960)|Danny Wilson]] as manager at the start of the [[2004-05 in English football|2004–05]] season that Lita really established himself in the first team. That year he scored 29 goals in all competitions for club and one U21 international goal taking his tally to 30 for the season. ===Reading=== Lita moved to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] (then in the [[Football League Championship]]) on 13 July 2005 for a then club record fee of £1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news | date=14 July 2005 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/reading/4674515.stm | title=Reading snap up £1m striker Lita | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=31 January 2008}}</ref> Lita scored on his debut at home to [[Plymouth Argyle F.C|Plymouth]] with a fine header to equalise, but [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] eventually lost 2–1, however they only lost one more league game during the entire season. Lita made it three goals in his first three games as he scored two well taken goals in Reading's 3–0 win away at [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston]]. He scored in home wins against [[Swansea City F.C.|Swansea]] in the Carling Cup and [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] in the league, before scoring a stunning overhead kick in the 3–2 win at home to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]. He then endured a barren spell in front of goal, but he ended it with a goal in a 3–0 win at [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich]], a result which took Reading to the top of the Championship. He then suffered an injury that kept him out for 6 weeks, but on his return against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in the third round of the [[FA Cup]], he produced a high quality display, netting a superb hat trick that included a spectacular second goal with a dipping shot from 25 yards, after a series of one touch passes from the Royals. He found the net in a 4–0 win at home to [[Norwich City F.C|Norwich]], and followed it up in the next game with two excellent finishes in a 4–3 away win at [[Crewe Alexandra F.C|Crewe]]. He scored for the third league game in a row with a tap in during a 2–0 victory at home to [[Southampton F.C|Southampton]]. He came on as a substitute to score the winner in a 2–1 win at home to Preston but his [[2005-06 in English football|2005–06]] season ended early in the next game at Burnley when he sustained a broken ankle after landing awkwardly, but Reading still won the [[Football League Championship|Championship]] title and [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to the [[Premier League]] with a record total of 106 points. Lita had a promising start to life in the Premiership, in which he netted the winner at home to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on the opening day, a game in which Reading came from 2–0 down to win 3–2. He ended a goal drought by scoring in a 2–2 draw against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], the first of ten goals in twelve games,<ref>{{cite web | title=Leroy Lita career stats | work=Soccerbase | url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?seasonid=136&playerid=32646 | accessdate=16 June 2007}}</ref> as he scored away at [[Manchester United F.C|Manchester United]] in a 3–2 defeat, and scored again in the 6–0 home win over West Ham. He also scored three goals in two games in the FA Cup against Burnley and twice against Birmingham City. His next goal came at home to Wigan in a 3–2 win, and in the next game he scored two late goals in a 2–0 win away at [[Manchester City]]. Both goals came from excellent through balls, for the first Lita hit a powerful first time shot from the edge of the box, across the keeper and into the top corner. The second was a cool finish when through one on one. He would even have a had a hat trick, but had a goal wrongly disallowed. Leroy scored again against Manchester United, as he pulled one back in a 3–2 home defeat in the FA Cup. He had suffered some minor injuries and found himself behind [[Kevin Doyle]] and [[Dave Kitson]] for parts of the season, and on 13 April 2007, Lita was banned for three games for allegedly [[headbutt]]ing [[Talal El Karkouri]] of [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] on 9 April, a charge disputed by both the player and Reading's manager, [[Steve Coppell]]. However, Reading still managed to finish eighth in their first ever top division campaign, just missing out on a [[UEFA Cup]] place. In a freak occurrence just prior to the start of the [[2007-08 in English football|2007–08]] season, Lita was faced with a month of downtime after damaging a leg muscle as he stretched in bed upon waking.<ref>{{cite news | date=7 August 2007 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/reading/6935892.stm | title=Lita sidelined after freak injury | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=7 August 2007}}</ref> Coppell told the [[BBC]]: "Leroy is in a great deal of pain. It's a point of laughter but a serious business for him because he's going to be out for three or four weeks." Lita found himself largely our of favour in the 2007–08 season, and spent much of it either left out or injured, he also had a loan spell at [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]]. He only scored one goal in the Premier League that season, it came on the final day against already relegated [[Derby County F.C|Derby County]] with a diving header in a 4–0 away win. But sadly [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] found themselves joining Derby, as they were relegated on goal difference. ====Loan spells==== On 5 March 2008, Lita joined Charlton on a one month-loan deal, after finding his first team opportunities limited at Reading during the 2007–08 season.<ref>{{cite news | date=5 March 2008 | url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1256983,00.html | title=Lita makes Charlton loan move | publisher=Reading F.C. | accessdate=5 March 2008}}</ref> The loan was later extended to the end of the season,<ref>{{cite news | date=27 March 2008 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/7316451.stm | title=Lita extends loan with Charlton | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | accessdate=27 March 2008}}</ref> but he was called back from the loan on 19 April for the last three games of the season.<ref>{{cite news | date=21 April 2008 | url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1294539,00.html | title=Lita back after Charlton loan | publisher=Reading F.C. | accessdate=20 July 2009}}</ref> Lita then went to [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] for a month long loan on 1 October. He scored four goals in his initial six game spell including a hat-trick against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton]] in a 5–2 victory. Reading and Norwich agreed to extend the loan for another six games until 7 December. Following Norwich's 2–0 win over local rivals Ipswich, it was announced on 8 December that Lita would sign a further third month on loan. Lita went onto score 7 goals for Norwich, and in a season which ultimately ended up with relegation, Lita was City's second top scorer – behind own goals. ====Return to Reading FC==== Lita returned to Reading and played in the third round FA Cup tie defeat at [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7803237.stm |title=Cardiff 2–0 Reading |date=3 January 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2009 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref> He then made his first league appearance since August, coming on as a sub, to score a goal against Watford at home on 9 January 2009, to make it 4–0. Later, in the same week Lita announced that he had changed for the better, and that he would stay with Reading for the promotion push.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1516968,00.html| title=Lita – I've changed for the better| date=12 January 2009| accessdate=12 January 2009| publisher=Reading F.C.}}</ref> Sheffield United had a seven figure sum accepted by Reading for Lita on 13 January 2009, but the club later withdrew from proceedings after they were not willing to pay the £1.2m signing-on fee being requested by Lita. On 15 May, Lita, [[Michael Duberry]], [[Marcus Hahnemann]] and club captain [[Graeme Murty]] were told that their contracts would not be renewed. ===Middlesbrough=== On 3 August 2009, it was announced that he would join [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on a free transfer.<ref>[http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,1~1742212,00.html Leroy Signs For Boro]</ref> He made his debut for Middlesbrough on 7 August 2009 in a 0–0 draw with [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]], but had limited opportunities to score.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8185178.stm Middlesbrough 0 – 0 Sheff Utd]</ref> Lita scored his first goal for Middlesbrough against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], in a 2-0win for the Boro. He received a yellow card for removing his shirt in his subsequent celebration.<ref>[http://ref>[http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,1~1742212,00.html Middlesbrough 2 – 0 Doncaster]</ref> He scored his second goal when returning to his old club Reading in Middlesbrough's 2–0 win on 3 October 2009. His third goal for Middlesbrough came on 21 November 2009 against [[Nottingham Forest]] off a rebound off a [[Julio Arca]] shot. On 5 December 2009, Lita scored two goals in a 5–1 win against QPR, Middlesbrough's first win under new manager Gordon Strachan. Lita again received a yellow card for his goal celebration. On 26 December 2009, Lita received a red card for an elbow during the win against Scunthorpe, which was the first of his career. Lita's first goal of the 2010–11 season came on 18 September 2010 against old club Reading and his second followed on 27 November 2010 with a headed goal in a 2–2 draw with Hull.<ref>http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20100918/middlesbrough-3-reading-1_70605_52894</ref><ref>http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20101127/middlesbrough-2-hull-2_70605_52144</ref> On 28 December 2010, Lita's 26th birthday, he scored two goals against Preston in a 3–1 win for Middlesbrough – his first being an individual effort, scoring after a weaving run from the halfway line.<ref>http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/articles/20101228/preston-1-middlesbrough-3_70605_52027</ref> Lita scored twice against the club where he began his career, Bristol City, in Middlesbrough's 4–0 away victory on 15 January 2011.<ref>http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,1,00.html</ref> He was yellow carded for his celebration following his first goal, after being subjected to abuse from the home fans. Lita later took the unusual step of using the Bristol City website to apologising to their fans for his actions.<ref>http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10327~2267988,00.html</ref> ===Swansea City=== On 27 July 2011, newly promoted Premier League side [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] had a fee of £1.75m accepted by Middlesbrough for Lita's services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~2403131,00.html?|title=Swans confirm Leroy Lita fee|date=27 July 2011|publisher=Swansea City A.F.C.|accessdate=27 July 2011}}</ref> He completed his medical the following week and signed a 3-year contract. He made his Swansea debut against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] as a substitute. Lita scored his first [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] goal on 17 September 2011 against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Brom]] scoring a header in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~2409151,00.html?|title=Swans complete Lita signing|date=3 August 2011|publisher=Swansea City A.F.C.|accessdate=3 August 2011}}</ref> ====Birmingham City (loan)==== On 6 September 2012, Lita agreed to join [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] on a three-month emergency loan, the move to be completed when the loan transfer window opened two days later.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19505173 |title=Birmingham City agree loan for Swansea's Leroy Lita |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 September 2012 |accessdate=6 September 2012}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on his second appearance, touching in a [[Paul Caddis]] cross to open the scoring at home to [[Bolton Wanderers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2012/09/19/birmingham-city-2-bolton-wanderers-1-colin-tattum-s-full-time-report-97319-31863141/ |title=Birmingham City 2 Bolton Wanderers 1 |first=Colin |last=Tattum |work=Birmingham Mail |date=19 September 2012 |accessdate=19 September 2012}}</ref> After ten league games in which he scored three goals, Lita's loan was terminated on 12 November to allow him to return to his owning club to complete his recovery from a thigh injury.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com//news/article/lita-returns-to-swansea-482781.aspx |title=Lita returns to Swansea |first=Andy |last=Walker |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=12 November 2012 |accessdate=12 November 2012}}</ref> ====Sheffield Wednesday==== Lita made his debut on 26 January 2013, scoring the winning goal against Charlton Athletic after coming on as a substitute for Kieran Lee in the 54th minute. He went on to score his second goal in as many games, through a first half volley in a 3–1 home victory against [[Brighton and Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton]]. Leroy scored against Crystal Palace on 23 February to take his tally for Sheffield Wednesday to 3 goals. He uses a trademark celebration when he scores goals for Wednesday, using his fingers to make an "M" which stands for massive. Lita scored his fourth goal of the season for [[Sheffield Wednesday]] from a well placed penalty to add to the 3–2 victory against [[Blackburn Rovers]] on 6 April. He has also helped them stave off the relegation with a second goal in a 2–0 victory over [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], Lita's former club. ==International career== ===England U21 breakthrough=== Lita turned down the chance to play for [[Congo DR national football team|DR Congo]] in favour of pursuing an international career with England, despite having previously stated he wished to represent the country of his birth.<ref>{{cite news| date=22 January 2004| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/3404339.stm| title=Lita seeks Simba stardom| publisher=[[BBC Sport]]| accessdate=30 August 2006}}</ref> He scored on his debut for [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]] with a goal against [[Netherlands national under-21 football team|Holland U21]] in a 2–1 loss on 8 February 2005, coming on as a second half substitute.<ref>{{cite news| date=8 February 2005| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/4233991.stm| title=England U21 1–2 Holland U21| publisher=[[BBC Sport]]| accessdate=6 February 2007}}</ref> He had to wait over a year to make his second appearance, again as a substitute, in a 3–1 win over Norway on 28 February 2006.<ref>{{cite news| date=28 February 2006| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4750998.stm| title=England U21 3–1 Norway U21| publisher=[[BBC Sport]]| accessdate=6 February 2007}}</ref> Following excellent goal-scoring form in the Premier League, Lita was awarded with a further [[Cap (sport)|cap]] as a substitute in the 2–2 draw with Spain on 6 February 2007, scoring his second goal in three international appearances. ===2007 European U21 Championship=== Despite being 22, Lita was eligible to compete in the [[2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship]],<ref>{{cite news| date=6 February 2007| url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~976694,00.html| title=Lita hoping for his first England start tonight as he looks to Euro championships| publisher=Reading F.C.| accessdate=6 February 2007}}</ref> and was called up to the squad.<ref>{{cite news| date=10 May 2007| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6644497.stm| title=FA names 30-man England U21 squad| publisher=[[BBC Sport]]| accessdate=10 May 2007}}</ref> In the first group game against the [[Czech Republic national under-21 football team|Czech Republic]], England were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute which Lita subsequently dragged wide condemning England to a scoreless draw.<ref>{{cite news| date=11 June 2007| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6738781.stm| title=Czech Rep U21 0–0 England U21| publisher=[[BBC Sport]]| accessdate=12 June 2007}}</ref> However he then scored for England in each of their next three games; a 2–2 draw against [[Italy national under-21 football team|Italy]], a 2–0 win over [[Serbia national under-21 football team|Serbia]], and a 1–1 (13–12) penalty shoot-out loss to Holland in the semi-finals. After the tournament he was named in the ''UEFA Dream Team'' for the tournament.<ref>{{cite news| date=2 July 2007| url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1065230,00.html| title=Lita gets award from UEFA| publisher=Reading F.C.| accessdate=2 July 2007}}</ref> == Career statistics == {{updated|match played 16 March 2013}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Club statistics |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]] !colspan="2"|[[Football League Cup|League Cup]] !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division !Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|[[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] |[[2002–03 Bristol City F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=132 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2002/2003 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |[[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] |15||2||1||2||0||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLTPO>One appearance in [[Football League Trophy]], one in [[Football League One play-offs|Football League Second Division play-offs]]</ref>||0||18||4 |- |[[2003–04 Bristol City F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=133 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2003/2004 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |Division Two |26||5||2||0||1||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLTPO/>||0||31||5 |- |[[2004–05 Bristol City F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=134 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2004/2005 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |[[Football League One|League One]] |44||24||2||1||2||2||3<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearances in Football League Trophy</ref>||2||51||29 |- !colspan="3"|Bristol City total !85!!31!!5!!3!!3!!2!!7!!2!!100!!38 |- |rowspan="4"|[[Reading F.C.|Reading]] |[[2005–06 Reading F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=135 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2005/2006 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |[[Football League Championship|Championship]] |26||11||3||3||3||1||colspan="2"|–||32||15 |- |[[2006–07 Reading F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=136 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2006/2007 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |[[Premier League]] |33||7||3||4||2||3||colspan="2"|–||38||14 |- |[[2007–08 Reading F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name=sb0708>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=137 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2007/2008 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |Premier League |14||1||2||0||2||1||colspan="2"|–||18||2 |- |[[2008–09 Reading F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name=sb0809>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=138 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2008/2009 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |Championship |10||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||12||1 |- !colspan="3"|Reading total!!83!!20!!9!!7!!8!!5!!colspan="2"|–!!100!!32 |- |[[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] (loan) |[[2007–08 Charlton Athletic F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name=sb0708/> |Championship |8||3||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||8||3 |- |[[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] (loan) |[[2008–09 Charlton Athletic F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name=sb0809/> |Championship |16||7||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||16||7 |- |rowspan="2"|[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] |[[2009–10 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=139 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2009/2010 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |Championship |40||8||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||41||8 |- |[[2010–11 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=140 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2010/2011 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |Championship |38||12||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||41||12 |- !colspan="3"|Middlesbrough total !78!!20!!1!!0!!3!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!82!!20 |- |[[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] |[[2011–12 Swansea City A.F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=141 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2011/2012 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref> |Premier League |16||2||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||18||2 |- |[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan) |[[2012–13 Birmingham City F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name=sb1213>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=32646&season_id=142 |title=Games played by Leroy Lita in 2012/2013 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |accessdate=17 March 2013}}</ref> |Championship |10||3||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||10||3 |- |[[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] (loan) |[[2012–13 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name=sb1213/> |Championship |14||5||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||9||3 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !305!!89!!16!!10!!15!!7!!7!!2!!343!!108 |} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} ==Personal life== On 30 August 2006, Lita was arrested on suspicion of causing [[grievous bodily harm]] in Bristol on 27 August,<ref>{{cite news| date=30 August 2006| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5298340.stm| title=Footballer arrested over attack| publisher=[[BBC News]]| accessdate=30 August 2006}}</ref> but on 18 September 2006 the complaint was withdrawn and police confirmed that no further action would be taken.<ref>{{cite news| date=18 September 2006| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5355882.stm| title=Complaint against player dropped| publisher=[[BBC News]]| accessdate=18 September 2006}}</ref> Lita and long-term partner Safwan Haydar live in East London and are active members of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender foundation. ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10306~22482,00.html Leroy Lita profile] at readingfc.co.uk *{{soccerbase|32646|Leroy Lita}} *[http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=12248 Photo and stats] at sporting-heroes.net {{Bristol City F.C. Player of the Season}} {{2004–05 Football League One Team of the Year}} {{Swansea City A.F.C. squad}} {{Persondata |NAME=Lita, Leroy Halirou |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |SHORT DESCRIPTION=English footballer |DATE OF BIRTH=28 December 1984 |PLACE OF BIRTH=Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lita, Leroy}} [[Category:1984 births]] [[Category:People from Kinshasa]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Association football forwards]] [[Category:English people of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent]] [[Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo footballers]] [[Category:English footballers]] [[Category:England under-21 international footballers]] [[Category:Chelsea F.C. players]] [[Category:Bristol City F.C. players]] [[Category:Reading F.C. players]] [[Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players]] [[Category:Norwich City F.C. players]] [[Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players]] [[Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players]] [[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]] [[Category:The Football League players]] [[Category:Premier League players]] [[Category:Black British sportspeople]] [[Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players]]'