CELTIC teenage defender Leo Hjelde is on the brink of joining Leeds United.
The Elland Road club have been pursuing the versatile 17-year-old Norwegian for months and it looks as though the top prospect will be on his way before the end of the month.
Marco Bielsa’s side are making significant progress in their bid to land Hjelde for their Under-23 side, according to reports in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The youngster was loaned to Ross County last season and earned rave notices for his performances in an overworked Dingwall rearguard. Ex-boss John Hughes praised the kid’s maturity and ability while tipping for the very top if he continued at that rate of progress.
Hjelde was also promoted to captain of Celtic’s B side in the Lowland League, but it now looks as though his career in Glasgow is coming to an end with Leeds stepping up their move to lure him across the border in this transfer window.
The back-four operator joined the the Parkhead side from Rosenborg two years ago, signing a three-year deal.
Coincidentally, he will be the second Norwegian defender to quit the Hoops in recent weeks with Kristoffer Ajer moving to Premier League newcomers Brentford in a £13.5million switch last month.
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