Leo Hjelde

Leo Fuhr Hjelde (born 26 August 2003) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Leeds United. He previously played for Ross County on loan from Celtic.

Leo Hjelde
Personal information
Full name Leo Fuhr Hjelde[1]
Date of birth (2003-08-26) 26 August 2003
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 33
Youth career
0000–2017 Trygg/Lade
2018–2019 Rosenborg
2019–2021 Celtic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Celtic 0 (0)
2021 → Ross County (loan) 11 (1)
2021– Leeds United 0 (0)
National team‡
2019 Norway U16 13 (0)
2020 Norway U17 3 (0)
2021 Norway U18 3 (1)
2021– Norway U19 3 (0)
2021– Norway U21 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:21, 12 September 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17:21, 12 September 2021 (UTC)

Early life

Hjelde is the son of former footballer Jon Olav Hjelde.[2]

Club career

Celtic

On 29 July 2019, Hjelde signed a professional contract with Scottish Premiership club Celtic at 15 years old; he was brought straight into the reserve squad.[3][4]

On 22 January 2021, Hjelde signed for Premiership side Ross County on loan for the remainder of the season.[5] He made his league debut the following day against Rangers in a 5–0 defeat.[6] He scored his first professional goal on 6 March 2021 in a 3–2 win against Kilmarnock.[7] His performances on loan led to Ross County boss John Hughes likening the young defender to former Celtic player Virgil van Dijk.[8]

Leeds United

On 27 August 2021, Hjelde signed for Leeds United for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year-deal at Elland Road.[9]

Career statistics
As of match played 12 May 2021[10]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Celtic 2020–21[11] Scottish Premiership 0000000000
2021–22[11] Scottish Premiership 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Ross County (loan) 2020–21[11] Scottish Premiership 1111000—121
Career total 111100000121

    References
    1. "Leo Fuhr Hjelde" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Football Federation. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
    2. "Norsk 15-åring klar for Celtic". TV2. TV2. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
    3. "Celtic agree terms with talented young Norwegian defender". Celtic FC. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
    4. "Celtic sign Rosenborg youngster Leo Hjelde". Sky Sports. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
    5. "Ross County add Celtic teenager Leo Hjelde on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
    6. "Rangers 5–0 Ross County". SPFL. SPFL. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
    7. "Ross County 3–2 Kilmarnock". BBC. 6 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
    8. Durent, Jamie (2021-04-14). "Leo Hjelde labelled 'next Virgil van Dijk' by Ross County boss John Hughes". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
    9. "Leeds United complete Leo Hjelde swoop". Leeds United FC. 2021-08-27. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
    10. Leo Hjelde at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
    11. "Games played by Leo Hjelde in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
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