Leo Hjelde has sent a message to Leeds United’s Mateo Joseph following his confirmed new deal at Elland Road.
The Whites revealed on their official website (19 January) that Joseph had signed a new long-term deal with the club after reaching terms that would keep him in West Yorkshire until 2028.
This season, under Daniel Farke’s direction, the kid has already appeared six times in the first team, most notably in the Emirates FA Cup victory over Peterborough United.
And Joseph resorted to his personal Instagram account on January 19 to reveal his new agreement at Elland Road, writing: “I’m so excited to let you know I’ve extended my contract with this incredible club.” I am delighted to continue to be a member of this family.
“I’d like to take this occasion to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of our fans for their support during games and after training. Even on cold winter days, waiting patiently to greet us, you motivate us to keep fighting.
“Many thanks to everyone who has been watching my initial steps with the U21 team. Your encouragement from the beginning meant everything to me. I’m grateful to every player, coach, and staff member I’ve shared the locker room with.
“This is only the beginning of a new exciting chapter, and I can’t wait to give it my all in each match to repay your belief in me!
Hjelde, who is due to leave Elland Road this month (Yorkshire Evening Post, 19 January), responded to Joseph’s new deal with an emoji message.
Leeds’ wish
The Whites have done an amazing job in signing two of their brightest young players at Elland Road to new contracts just a few days following Archie Gray’s statement on Tuesday (16 January).
Not only that, but his prestigious talent and potential are simply too great to let him go so easily, and it is in the best interests of the club as a whole to keep some of its top players.
The same cannot be said for Hjelde, who has become a forgotten man at Elland Road and is expected to leave the club this month in search of first-team opportunities elsewhere.
Farke recently suggested that the defender has the potential to become a first-team player, implying that a loan is likely the best option for him to do this.
However, with Charlie Cresswell undergoing similar Farke first-team rehab, it is unclear when Hjelde will make another Leeds United appearance.
There is little doubt that he wishes to be held in the same esteem as Gray and Joseph, but due to the competitive mentality of the group, this has not worked out for him.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has revealed whether Farke intends to abandon another loan arrangement early.
