Leo Hjelde completed a move to Michael Beale’s Sunderland on Tuesday afternoon after choosing to leave Leeds United for the Stadium of Light – and it is a move that sees Celtic benefit, financially.
The 20-year-old has struggled at Elland Road since swapping Celtic for Leeds in the summer of 2021. A regular in the 21’s, but just eight senior matches for the Whites. He went on loan to Rotherham last term.
It might have been that decent spell at Rotherham that has tempted Beale and Sunderland to pay a fee that could reach £2m to land the Norway U21 player. He spoke of his excitement at joining Sunderland.
A well-liked figure at Elland Road despite his lack of game time, plenty responded to his exit – including Sam Greenwood, Junior Firpo and Sonny Perkins. It is believed that Sunderland have spent £2m on him.
The Sun claimed on Tuesday that if a £2m move went through, then Celtic would earn a £300k windfall due to a percentage add-on included in his move from Scotland, to Yorkshire. It reduces Leeds’ fee.
Leo Hjelde move to Sunderland nets Celtic a £300k windfall
It also sees former Rangers manager Beale help Celtic out financially, though obviously that will not have crossed his mind when signing Hjelde. A player Liam Cooper predicted to have an ‘unbelievable’ career.
But in the midst of a title race north of the border, any small advantage is going to be taken and Celtic will be £300k better off. Perhaps, something they can use in the final 48 hours of the January window.
Leeds could face Hjelde on April 9, when the Whites welcome Sunderland to Elland Road. A game that Leeds will be looking for revenge in, having lost to Hjelde’s new side earlier in the season on Wearside.
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