Santos went straight into the back four alongside Mark Jackson at centre half. The game got off to a lively start and Leeds nearly opened the scoring on three minutes.
Seb Sorsa's cross turned into a goal-bound shot which had to be pushed away by Curtis Aspden.
Three minutes later Jamie Walshaw lobbed the ball over the bar from 18 yards.
19 minutes had gone when Santos went in for his first crunching tackle. The tackle brought applause and signalled the return of 'Big Georges'.
Leeds thought they had taken the lead on 33 minutes. Seb Carole ripped down the Farsley right flank and crossed into the box.
Tom Elliot rose to meet the cross with his head - he did meet it but he headed well wide.
Aspden saved Farsley again on 36 minutes. Sorsa latched onto another pass and his powerful shot forced another good save out of Aspden.
HT 0-0
Elliot had another great chance to put Leeds ahead four minutes after the interval.
Elliot beat the offside after the Farsley defence misjudged a cross. Elliot though was unable to control the ball.
The ball cannoned off his knee allowing Aspden to make a comfortable save. On 54 minutes Curtis Weston managed to find his way past the Farsley defence.
But Aspden refused to be beaten and produced another great save. Matthew James - one the star summer signings was able to show his ability on 68 minutes.
James went on a great run only to see his shot blocked. The deadlock was finally broken on 69 minutes.
Roy Stamer's in-swinging corner was missed by everyone. However James KNOWLES - known for his heading technique - got his head on the ball.
From two yards the ball was going nowhere but the back of the net. Leeds never recovered from the goal and Farsley were able to see out the game.
FT 1-0
Leeds United: Edwards, Darville (Ovington 55), Westlake (White 85), Hotchkiss (Cartman 63), Wilkinson (Williams 87), Milne, Sorsa, Hughes, Elliot, Weston, Carole.
Unused Subs: Ross, Webb, Falkingham.
Farsley Celtic: Aspden (Backhouse 67), Price (Torpey 67), Bambrook (Jackson 74), Bentham (Stamer 58), Jackson (Stevens 85), Santos (Knowles 58), Downes (James 58), Watson (Stabb 58), Walshaw (Nesa 74), Campbell (Harban 74), Prendergast (Penford 58).
Referee: R Madley (Ossett)
Attendance: 650