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Victor Orta glad Leeds passed an exception panel to sign Klaesson
Leeds United director of football Victor Orta is glad that the services of Kristoffer Klaesson were secured despite the circumstances.
The 20-year-old Norwegian goalkeeper joined the Whites from Valerenga in July, replacing Kiko Casilla who joined Elche on loan.
However, landing Klaesson was not straightforward as he did not qualify to obtain a work permit under the post-Brexit Governing Body Endorsement requirements.
Leeds had to apply for an exception panel to get one, becoming the first top-flight to do so.
Orta was pleased with the development, telling the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The situation of the keeper was more or less sorted in parallel.
“The negotiations with the loan to Elche [for Casilla, plus with Valerenga to buy Klaesson]. And I have to feel proud that we were the first team to pass an exception panel in England with Kristoffer.”
Talented signing
Leeds had to convince the panel that Klaesson has great potential, and that helped with their application after the evidence was brought forward.
The Denmark under-21 star is expected to provide quality cover and competition for Illan Meslier, but he is yet to keep a clean sheet for the Whites under-23s, conceding seven goals in three Premier League 2 appearances thus far.
Nevertheless, head coach Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping he is ready for first-team action whenever his French colleague is unavailable or is handed rest in the cup games.
Klaesson has the potential to become a regular for Leeds going forward, and there is a feeling that the club could decide to cash in on Meslier if a huge bid is tabled for him in the near future.
The France youth international is surely attracting attention from Europe’s bigwigs, and should the Elland Road outfit eventually opt to let go, the Dane should be ready to take charge.
That should not be a problem in a couple of seasons from now, and Klaesson will be getting the necessary exposure and experience needed to excel as a top-flight goalie between now and then.
In other Leeds news, Whites were keen on Colombian winger with £68m buyout clause ahead of deadline day.