CONFIRMED: Leeds United seal loan signing of Sweden international Jansson

Leeds United have today completed the loan signing of Sweden international Pontus Jansson, taking their tally of summer signings to 10.
Leeds United target Pontus Jansson (right).Leeds United target Pontus Jansson (right).
Leeds United target Pontus Jansson (right).

The Torino centre-back was put through a medical yesterday after flying to England to finalise to a year-long stay at Elland Road.

Jansson – a 6’5” defender who made Sweden’s squad for the recent European Championship – attended United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham on Tuesday and will be in contention to feature in Saturday’s Yorkshire derby at Sheffield Wednesday if international clearance arrives in time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds have been hunting for another centre-back ever since striking a deal to take Kyle Bartley on loan from Swansea City but their search was delayed after plans to sign former Watford defender Joel Ekstrand were abandoned amid fears about Ekstrand’s fitness.

Jansson, who is represented by the same agent as Ekstrand, former Sweden striker Martin Dahlin, has now strengthened Garry Monk’s backline by moving to Leeds for the whole of the Championship term.

The 25-year-old, who worked with United assistant Pep Clotet at Malmo in 2010, joined Torino on a four-year deal in 2014 but he was restricted to a handful of Serie A appearances in his first two seasons in Turin.

He nonetheless secured a spot in Sweden’s squad for the Euros without adding to his eight international caps during the tournament in France.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He told the club’s official website: “It feels really good to be here. I heard about three or four days ago that Leeds were interested and I spoke to the coaches.

“I know Pep well from my time with Malmo in Sweden two or three years ago – he’s a good person and a good coach. I’m looking forward to working with him again.

“I need to play football regularly and I know that Leeds are a big club with big ambitions. I know the club has a lot of tradition – they won the league in 1992 and I know about the really good team with the likes of Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell. I’m going to learn even more in the coming days.

“I want to help take Leeds back to the Premier League as soon as possible. I’m an aggressive defender and I always give more than 100 per cent for the team I play for.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Have you downloaded the free YEP app available on Android and iphone?