‘Came quite late’… 20-year-old admits he was just ‘waiting’ to leave Leeds United in January

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United used the January transfer window to offload a number of fringe players.

The Whites only brought in one new signing across the whole of the window but were clearly keen to trim down some of Daniel Farke’s squad, whether that be sanctioning loan or permanent exits.

From the first team, Djed Spence, Luke Ayling and Ian Poveda all departed Elland Road, while fringe youngsters such as Darko Gyabi, Lewis Bate and Leo Hjelde also followed them.

Aside from the obvious in Spence, Hjelde was the only one from that group who left permanently, as he made the switch to fellow Championship side Sunderland, coming straight in for his full debut on Sunday.

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo after the game, Hjelde admits he was just ‘waiting’ for the green light to leave Leeds throughout the month but is happy that it finally happened.

Hjelde was ‘waiting’ for Leeds exit

He said: “I was waiting for a move. It was just about being patient, really. I was getting game time with the under-21s at Leeds, so that meant I was fit whenever the chance came. Obviously, it came quite late, but I’m really happy that it happened, and I’m ready to crack on.”

Hjelde produced an impressive performance on his debut for the Black Cats, with Sunderland fans raving about his display in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Twitter.

The 20-year-old had no longer been in the picture under Farke after being handed an opportunity in the first team during the early parts of the season, in which he failed to take.

He was actually Leeds’ starting left-back in the opening two matches of the season in all competitions, but was withdrawn at half-time in both, and has since been a long way off the squad.

However, clearly he is excited by the opportunity that has been presented to him at Sunderland and hopefully he can go onto fulfil the potential he quite clearly has.