It is eleven years now since that infamous ‘don’t go to bed just yet’ Tweet in the dying embers of deadline day left Leeds United rather red faced.
Leeds, after all, would follow up that intriguing promise of eleventh-hour drama not with a marquee addition. Instead, Dominic Poleon would join Oldham Athletic while Matt Smith swapped Elland Road for Fulham. Hardly the sort of announcements worth postponing your bed-time for.
Now, Leeds United know better than to risk a repeat scenario a decade later.
In fact, if the Championship leaders’ social media team were to issue an update heading into the final few hours of Monday’s winter deadline, it would probably be the exact opposite. Something along the lines of; ‘Yeah, tuck yourself in for an early night’.
Because, with Leeds unlikely to bring in Adam Armstrong or Cameron Archer from Premier League strugglers Southampton, action will be in very short supply between now and 11pm.
Daniel Svensson secures Dortmund move after Leeds United links
After a few of Leeds’ reported targets secure late moves of their own – Emi Buendia moved to Bayer Leverkusen while Andrew Omobamidele joined Strasbourg – a potential long-term replacement for the out-of-contract Junior Firpo has just put pen to paper on a dream switch to one of the bonafide giants of European football.
Albeit one that has fallen on hard times since last season’s run to the Champions League final, sacking Nuri Sahin and appointing Nico Kovac in a desperate attempt to avoid a bottom-half finish in Germany’s top flight.
Daniel Svensson arrived for a medical at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. Twenty-four hours later, the ink is now drying on his contract as the former Nordsjaelland left-back dons that iconic yellow and black shirt for the first time.
“Daniel is an up-and-coming defender with real physical strength who will make us more solid and increase our depth in defence,” sporting director Sebastien Kehl tells the club’s in-house media channels.
“We see lots of potential in him, and we’re confident that he will continue his positive development here in Dortmund.”
Daniel Svensson was linked with Leeds United, alongside the likes of RB Leipzig, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, early in the New Year.
Scoring four goals and providing 12 assists in the Danish league last season, the seven-time Sweden international was one of the most coveted young full-backs around heading into 2025.
But once Borussia Dortmund stepped up their interest, offering Svensson the chance to follow in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski at a club renowned for turning potential into elite-level talent, those alternative destinations quickly faded away.
Sweden ace explains why he jumped at Bundesliga move
“It feels very good. I’m very happy to be here, to get to know all my new team-mates, the whole staff around the team and of course the fans in the stadium,” Svensson beams. “I heard about the interest a few days ago and of course I wanted to go through with it.
“Of course, it’s a very, very big club with big ambitions, a club with a long history that has won many titles over the years. It was a very good feeling. It’s something I really wanted to do.
“I spoke to the people in charge and had the feeling that they had a good plan for me. And yes, as I said, it’s a big club and I want to be part of it and hopefully achieve great things.”
“After being called up for Sweden for the first time, joining a top European club like Borussia Dortmund is another fantastic step in my career. I’m absolutely raring to go, and I’ll do everything I can so that the team and the fans can have lots of success together.”
According to reports, Svensson joins BVB on loan but they will have the option to make the deal permanent to the tune of around £6.5 million.
As Leeds are no closer to agreeing fresh terms with Junior Firpo – he is still set to leave on a free despite a hat-trick of assists in Saturday’s 7-0 thrashing of Cardiff City – a left-back is certain to feature highly on the club’s radar again when the window opens at the end of the season.
Matt Targett was also linked before Eddie Howe played down reports of an exit from Newcastle on Friday.
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