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Kristoffer Klaesson expected to accept Leeds United offer
Valerenga goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson is “expected” to accept the contract offer made by Leeds United, according to the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old is due to fly in for a medical after “productive” talks with Leeds director of football Victor Orta in Norway, with the Whites hopeful of completing the signing next week, pending a work permit.
The “highly-rated” Norway Under-21 international is set to be installed as the new number two goalkeeper to Illan Meslier after veteran shot-stopper Kiko Casilla left for Spanish side Elche on a season-long loan last week.
Faith in youth
It’s a pretty risky move by Leeds to have two young goalkeepers in the first-team squad, but Marcelo Bielsa has shown a penchant for doing the unexpected during his three years in charge at Elland Road.
21-year-old Meslier has risen from relative obscurity to become the undisputed starter under ‘El Loco’, beating off the challenge from ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper Casilla with ease.
But he’ll need to be continually challenged to ensure he keeps his feet on the ground and progresses to become the star we know he can be.
He’s not far off becoming a top goalkeeper already, but further improvement will be made with more maturity, something that will only be achieved with playing more games at the top level.
But, while Klaesson only turns 21 in November, he has still accumulated over 50 games for Valerenga, and been a regular throughout the youth set-up of the Norway international team.
It’s a big move for him, but he’s sowed the seeds for this transfer with some top performances for the Eliteserien outfit, and even played in Europe for them on Thursday as they lost 4-0 in the qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have tabled a bid for this South American backed to be ‘World-class’ by David Villa.