Former Celtic prospect seals deadline day move to Sheffield United

Leo Hjelde, once talked up at Celtic as “the next Virgil Van Dijk,” has completed a deadline day move from Sunderland to Sheffield United, a switch that will spark interest among Hoops supporters who remember the hopes around his development at Parkhead.

The Norwegian defender joins the Blades on loan until the end of the season after recovering from an Achilles injury and struggling for regular minutes in the Championship.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman underlined the thinking behind the deal, explaining: “Leo is motivated to play games, and we wanted to ensure his next opportunity matched his ambitions and our own. We know Sheffield United well and feel this can be a positive collaboration for all three parties. We wish Leo the best of luck for the second half of the season.”

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Former Celtic prospect seals deadline day move to Sheffield United

Signed from Rosenborg as a teenager, he impressed enough on loan at Ross County for then-Staggies boss John Hughes to make a bold prediction in 2021. The former Celtic defender said: “I 100% believe he will reach the Premier League. Leo is going to be the next Virgil Van Dijk, trust me on that, trust me.”

Hughes also highlighted the value of his time away from Glasgow, adding: “Everything a loan does for a kid, playing competitive football every week, trying to win every week, playing men’s football, standing up to it and the disappointments… It’s been a wonderful experience for Leo.”