LEEDS UNITED AGREE DEAL FOR RASMUS KRISTENSEN - Leedsunited.com 8/6/22
Second signing of the summer confirmed.
Leeds United are pleased to announce an agreement has been
reached with Red Bull Salzburg for the signing of Rasmus Kristensen, which will
be completed on July 1st 2022.
The Whites have beaten off competition for the 24-year-old,
who will join for an undisclosed fee and has accepted terms on a
five-year-contract at Elland Road, running until the summer of 2027.
Making his breakthrough with FC Midtjylland, the full-back
was snapped up by Dutch giants Ajax in January 2018.
Prior to his move to the Netherlands, Kristensen had made 17
league appearances for Midtjylland during the 2017/18 campaign, in which they
would go on to become Danish champions.
In his first full season at the Johan Cruyff Arena,
Kristensen helped Ajax win the league and cup double, scoring in the 4-0 KNVB
Cup Final victory against Willem II.
Following the triumph, at the end of the season he completed
a transfer to Red Bull Salzburg, joining current Leeds United boss Jesse
Marsch, who had recently been appointed head coach of the Austrian side.
His double success continued at the Red Bull Arena, with
Kristensen helping the club win the Austrian league and cup in each of the last
three campaigns.
Last September his club form was rewarded when he won his
first international cap for Denmark, helping his country defeat the Faroe
Islands one-nil.
He has since won five more caps, with his most recent coming
last Sunday, where he provided an assist in the 2-1 away victory against
Austria.
Kristensen is Leeds United’s second confirmed arrival of the
summer transfer window and he links up with Brenden Aaronson, who it was
announced last month would also be joining from Salzburg.
The transfer is subject to the necessary international
clearance and a work permit.
Following the announcement Rasmus Kristensen will join Leeds United from Red Bull Salzburg on July 1st, he spoke exclusively to LUTV.
The Denmark international has agreed a five-year-deal at
Elland Road, running until the summer of 2027 and becomes the club’s second
signing of the transfer window.
Kristensen spoke about the lure of Leeds United and his
delight at completing the move.
“When I heard about the interest I looked at the project and
what was going on and I was never in doubt, I was 100 per cent convinced,” said
Kristensen.
“It’s a huge historical club which is playing in the best
league in the world and for me, it fits everything that I love about a football
club.
“I know a lot of things about the club, where I am from, a
small village, most of my father’s mates are Leeds fans.
“I want to compete against the best and I will do that here.
“I see myself as a physical, emotional power player, I like
to go forward, run up and down the flank and I have a big engine for that.
“I’m a guy who puts 100 per cent effort in every time I’m on
the pitch and I’ll die with my boots on.
“It’s been a great few days with the national team, playing
games, flying in and out, it’s been busy but good.
“With the national team having four games in the Nations
League, it fit in perfectly to come to Leeds in-between the two days with a day
off from the national team coach, so I’m pleased and happy that everything is
settled and everything is done.”
Kristensen links up again with Whites head coach Jesse
Marsch who signed the full-back during his stint in charge of Salzburg and the
full-back can’t wait to work with him once again.
He said: “I had a brilliant relationship with Jesse in
Salzburg.
“I feel like I fit right into the philosophy and system that
he wants to play and hopefully I can show that on the pitch.
“I’m really happy about my time in Salzburg, we were
champions three times, won the cup three times and I got to play in the
Champions League three times in a row.
“I think the three years that has led up to this moment to
even be considered to be a Leeds player and being here today feels unreal.”
The Danish international is also looking forward to the
prospect of playing at Elland Road in the near future.
“I’m blown away by the stadium,” said Kristensen.
“I’ve heard so much about it, so many tales and stories, but
to be here in person is incredible.
“I’ve been told what the atmosphere is like and I can
imagine, but I’ve been told it’s better than I can ever imagine, so I can’t
wait to experience it on my own.”
Leeds United director of football Victor Orta and head coach Jesse Marsch have spoken exclusively to the club’s official website, following the announcement Rasmus Kristensen will join the Whites on July 1st 2022.
Kristensen has accepted a five-year-deal, with his Elland
Road contract to run until the summer of 2027.
Orta and Marsch were both pleased to get a second signing of
the summer transfer window across the line, following the arrival of Brenden
Aaronson.
“It is difficult to find a player with this background, who
is an international, in the market with a clear price,” said Orta.
“Rasmus trusts the project, he knows the coach and he’s left
his comfort zone to try and succeed in the Premier League and at Leeds United
and I feel proud of that.
“Other teams wanted him, including teams playing in the
Champions League in the top five leagues, but he wants to prove himself in the
best league in the world and this makes me very happy with the signing.
“His performances at Red Bull Salzburg made him one of the
most influential right-backs in Europe and now in the line-up of his country.
“He has a determination to understand the position, he’s
physical, demanding, has a high level with the ball and I hope he is a player
fans will fall in love with quickly.
They demand effort and quality, he has both things and he has chosen
us.”
Marsch added: “Rasmus is a player who developed a lot over
the last three years.
“He established himself at Red Bull Salzburg as one of their
best players, a very good Champions League full-back, and a Danish
international.
