Born in
Cologne, West Germany, his youths club were
Fortuna Köln,
1. FC Köln and BC Efferen. From 1989 until 1995, he played for low-tier sides Spfr Neitersen (1989–1992) and VfB Wissen (1992–1995) before joining fourth-tier
SCB Preußen Köln. In 1996, he transferred across the
Rhine river to play for
Bundesliga side
Bayer Leverkusen. However, being third goalkeeper, he did not get to play a single match. In June 1997, he therefore transferred to newly promoted
English Premier League side
Barnsley for
£250,000. Leese played in England for just two seasons, appearing in 16 league games and four
League Cup matches. After his two-year contract at Barnsley was not extended, he returned to his native Cologne and played the 2000–01 season for Preußen Köln and from 2001 to 2003 at the reserves of Bundesliga side
Borussia Mönchengladbach. Two more seasons at 1. FC Köln followed, where he was captain of the Reserve team and also called up as a substitute for some Bundesliga matches in the 2004–05 season. In the summer of 2005, he ended his active career. ==Coaching career==