Woodgate was given his chance in the first team under then-caretaker manager David O'Leary in November 1998, in only his second game in charge of first team affairs, and has been a fixture ever since.
Joined the club at the age of 13 and was part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup in 1997. His aerial abilities, combative nature and calmness on the ball have led to him being earmarked as an England regular of the future.
Indeed his superb first season was capped by a call up from Kevin Keegan to the full England squad at the tender age of 19-years-old. Made his debut against Bulgaria in June 1999 in a Euro 2000 qualifier.
Was having a wonderful 1999/2000 season until events off the pitch saw his form understandably dip. He was involved in a fracas outside the Majestyk nightclub in Leeds, which would lead to police charges.
He, along with team-mate Lee Bowyer and some of his friends from Middlesbrough, was charged grievous bodily harm and affray. As the case began Woodgate disappeared from the first team, and it was claimed the player was injured. It later he was in no fit state to play.
When the first trial was abandoned due to a prejudicial story in a national newspaper, Woodgate was back to square one. He would eventually be cleared on the charge of GBH but found guilty of affray and sentenced to 100 hours community service.
With the court case behind him, Woodgate began to rediscover his past form.
However, many will remember the chants of the Cardiff fans during an FA Cup tie in January 2002. With Michael Duberry on as a substitute to partner Woodgate in the centre of the defence we had the chant of 'Duberry start the car, Duberry, Duberry, start the car'.
Duberry had picked the Leeds players up on the night in question.
Agreed a new contract in the summer of 2002 that would keep him at Elland Road for five years.
With Woodgate back on top form there were calls for him to be selected for the 2002 World Cup, but the FA insisted he would not be available for selection until after the tournament.
Didn't help his cause after damaging his jaw during 'horseplay' with his friends outside a pub in Middlesbrough.
By the start of the 2002/03 season, Woodgate had played 122 games for Leeds.
In Septmeber 2002 Woodgate was selected as part of the England squad to face Euro 2004 hosts Portugal in a friendly at Villa Park.
Woodgate, who has represented England once before against Bulgaria in 1999, served nearly three years of suspension from international duty due to his court case.
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