Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign Norwegian defender Leo Hjelde after his spell at Ross County last season (Nettavisen).
The 17-year-old joined Ross County on a loan deal in January and then-manager John Hughes labeled him ‘the next Virgil Van Dijk.’ While comparisons to the £75 million defender were lofty, Hughes backing the centre-back for the English Premier League was not farfetched, with Leeds United retaining an interest since 2020.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side tried to sign Hjelde before his move to the Highland Scottish Premiership club but it proved unsuccessful. Leeds United are believed to have now agreed a deal to sign Hjelde. Personal terms were already sorted. The transfer will be pending a medical.
Hjelde will initially link up with the U23s team at Elland Road. Former Ross County vice-captain Callum Morris told NTOF of Hjelde in May: “He’s got a lot of attributes that you can’t really coach. He’s so composed. All the stuff he has got in his locker that I would say are uncoachable are going to take him right to the top, I think.”
The former County defender was a potential transfer target for the Highland side this summer, if Hughes stayed on as manager. But parent club Celtic and Leeds United now ‘agree on a price’ for Hjelde while Malky Mackay has replaced Hughes in Dingwall.
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