Rasmus Kristensen pays for own flight out of UK to exit Leeds United
Rasmus Kristensen was so set on making a Leeds United exit to Roma that he paid for his own flight to Italy and only told the Italians he was coming just before take off, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The former Red Bull Salzburg defender is on the brink of having his loan move to the Stadio Olimpico made official after passing his medical at the Serie A side [Gianluca Di Marzio, 14 July].
After the Whites’ relegation was confirmed he initially looked set to be one of the first-team players who stayed for the Championship season [Leeds Live, 5 June], but the chance to follow Diego Llorente to Rome and play under Jose Mourinho apparently turned his head.
On page 10 of CdS’ print edition on 14 July it says: “He was so eager to land in the capital that Rasmus Kristensen on Wednesday evening took a flight by himself (also paying for the ticket) notifying the Giallorossi club only shortly before takeoff.
“No private jets, no saves upon arrival or selfies with the fans, just a great desire to start his new adventure in Rome to forget the disappointing season in the Premier League.
“The Danish full-back can’t wait to finally cross the gates of Fulvio Bernardini, attracted by the prospect of playing for Jose Mourinho and playing in the Europa League.”
Intent
Kristensen is another Leeds United player who appears to be landing on his feet after a struggling at Elland Road last year.
European football under a multiple Champions League winner is unsurprisingly an attractive option compared to the long slog of the Championship but, like Llorente, it is a surprise the Portuguese came in for the 25-year-old after a middling campaign at best for the Whites.
His arrival from Austria a year ago only showed flashes of his ability, and despite some stronger showings later in the year he ultimately failed to conclusively depose Luke Ayling from the right-back spot.
So, as with the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Robin Koch, he won’t be in West Yorkshire for the promotion push while it remains to be seen whether he might be seen in a Leeds shirt again should Daniel Farke pull of another promotion.
Cody Drameh surely needs to be given an extensive run in the first team after multiple false starts, so with Ayling still at Elland Road it makes some sense for Kristensen to go.
It is another loan exit that sees space made on the wage bill, but once more there is no fee for the new manager to use in the market, a situation which the German said must “never happen again” after this summer [BBC Sport, 13 July].
In other Leeds United news, another senior exit could yet happen amid a “complicated” situation at Elland Road says Phil Hay.