Joe Gelhardt completes Sunderland loan move - The Athletic 27/1/23
By Phil Hay
Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt has completed a loan move
to Championship side Sunderland.
Sunderland have worked successfully to wrap up a deal with
Leeds over the past few days.
Numerous Championship clubs made January enquiries for
Gelhardt, who is on the fringes of the first-team plans at Elland Road, and the
20-year-old was strongly considering returning to Wigan Athletic last week, the
club who sold him to Leeds in 2020.
Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers were among the alternative
offers made to United, however, and Sunderland have pushed this week to beat
their divisional rivals to the punch, tempting Gelhardt to join their play-off
bid.
Gelhardt is aiming to undergo a medical tomorrow. Sunderland
play Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, making Gelhardt’s debut likely
away at Millwall the following weekend.
The deal with Sunderland includes no permanent option with
Leeds continuing to see the England youth international as part of their
longer-term future.
He has made 35 league appearances for Leeds, 29 as a
substitute, and scored two league goals since his move from Wigan.