Leeds United man breaks silence on 'tough' Elland Road spell after sealing exit, one complaint and salary change — YEP 8/7/24

-

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds United's most recent departure of the summer transfer window Kristoffer Klaesson has reflected on his time at Elland Road after sealing a permanent switch to Polish side Raków Częstochowa.

The 23-year-old originally joined Leeds in the summer of 2021 but has only made three appearances during his time in West Yorkshire with first-choice Illan Meslier, as well as back-up options Joel Robles and Karl Darlow, preferred.

Klaesson did feature on two occasions from the start this season, keeping clean sheets against Birmingham City and Peterborough United during January, however the Norwegian has always been viewed as second or third-choice at Elland Road.

Having sealed a move to Raków, who finished seventh in the Poland's Ekstraklasa last season, Klaesson has spoken of his time at Leeds.

"It has been tough at times, but I have learned an incredible amount and had good dialogue throughout. Now we felt it was right that I got out and got to play matches. I have nothing to complain about other than that I would like to play more.

"The training routine and everything around it has been absolutely perfect," he told Norwegian outlet VG, whilst acknowledging the move to Poland is an 'unorthodox' choice.

The 23-year-old former Norway youth international also admitted the wage on offer in Poland's top flight is somewhat less than the contract he was previously signed to at Elland Road.

"I don't really want to comment on salary. It's a step down, but I get to develop more in everyday life as a goalkeeper," he added. "Raków wants to win titles and I feel I can help them with that."

Raków recently offloaded incumbent goalkeeper Vladan Kovačević who has joined Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal and are expected to begin the 2024/25 season with Klaesson as the team's new No. 1.

"The aim is to be able to play regular matches every week," the ex-Leeds stopper added. "My goal is to make the A national team. It is definitely a goal I have."

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o
Read more