Celtic land six figure transfer windfall as ex Rangers boss snaps up Leeds United defender.
Celtic will benefit from a six-figure signing by ex-Rangers manager Michael Beale.
Beale, who was fired from his post at Ibrox in October, is now the manager of Championship club Sunderland.
He is tasked with leading the Black Cats back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, although he has had a difficult start in the dugout, winning only three of his first eight games in all competitions.
The 43-year-old is keen to get his Sunderland career back on track and has confirmed his first signing at the Stadium of Light in the form of Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde.
The Black Cats are understood to have agreed a fee of around £2m for the Norwegian youngster who has signed a four and half year contract with the North East club.
On his move Hjelde told the Sunderland website: “It feels great to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I spoke to my dad, who showed me the size of the club and the support, and I knew it was a move I simply couldn’t turn down.”
Hjelde signed his first professional contract with Celtic back in 2019 and was promoted into the first team squad a year later in 2020.
He shone during an 11-game loan spell with Ross County, earning the attention of Leeds United in 2021. The Yorkshire giants signed Hjelde for an undisclosed amount, which included a 15% sell-on clause for the Hoops.
Hjelde struggled for playing time at Elland Road, but showed potential in a 13-game loan spell at Rotherham United, which prompted Sunderland to
take a chance on him. The sale of the Norwegian U21 international brings Celtic a transfer windfall of roughly £300,000, which might be used to bankroll future transfers as the transfer deadline approaches.
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