---
title: "Leeds: Phil Hay claims Leo Hjelde will join the Whites"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-phil-hay-claims-leo-hjelde-will-join-the-whites/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2021-08-23T17:05:12Z"
modified: "2021-08-23T17:05:12Z"
---

# Leeds: Phil Hay claims Leo Hjelde will join the Whites

**Leeds United will complete the signing of exciting Celtic youngster Leo Hjelde before the transfer window closes, according to journalist Phil Hay.**

### The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Hjelde move

The Whites [haven’t been too busy](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399) in the transfer market in recent months, with Junior Firpo the most notable addition over the summer.

Hjelde is a player with whom Leeds have been [linked](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-finally-making-progress-in-talks-with-celtic-for-young-defender-3342734) over the last few weeks, with the 17-year-old centre-back [likened](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leo-hjelde-leeds-united-transfer-20856181) to Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk in the past.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″\]

### The Latest: Hay expects deal to be done

With time ticking away before deadline day next week, The Athletic’s Hay took to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/PhilHay_/status/1429736415403859969?s=20) on Monday to provide an update on Leeds’ attempts to sign Hjelde, saying that he expects the move to go through.

He tweeted: “Incomings wise, Leeds will get Leo Hjelde from Celtic done before the deadline.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-13/)

### The Verdict: Big hope for the future

While Hjelde wouldn’t come in as an immediate starter – Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are already battling for playing time at centre-back – he looks a huge prospect for the future.

At just 17, he already has [eight Scottish Premiership appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leo-fuhr-hjelde/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/661208/saison/2020/wettbewerb/SC1) to his name, having had a spell on loan at Ross County last season, also [winning two caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leo-fuhr-hjelde/nationalmannschaft/spieler/661208/verein_id/31919) for Norway’s under-18s. The comparisons with a [Ballon D’Or nominee](https://web.archive.org/web/20191203150930/https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/US-soccer-star-Rapinoe-wins-Ballon-d-Or-14876298.php) in Van Dijk hint at the enormous potential the teenager has.

It is vital that Leeds plan for the long-term and don’t simply focus on the present, and Hjelde could be a pivotal figure at Elland Road as the years progress.

***In other news, Hay has also provided an update on Leeds’ quest to sign another player this summer. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-phil-hay-provides-lewis-obrien-transfer-update/).***