Leeds adds Norwegian Klaesson to stable of young goalkeepers

Posted July 31, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

LEEDS, England (AP) - Premier League club Leeds added another young goalkeeper to its ranks by signing 20-year-old Kristoffer Klaesson on Saturday.

Klaesson joined from Norwegian club VÃ¥lerenga for an undisclosed transfer fee and signed a four-year contract.

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa's first-choice keeper is 21-year-old Illan Meslier, and the team recently sent 34-year-old Kiko Casilla on a season-long loan to Spanish club Elche.

Klaesson has made 57 appearances for VÃ¥lerenga in Norway's top division and has represented Norway at youth levels.

'œHe will add further competition amongst the goalkeeper ranks at Leeds, alongside Illan Meslier,'ť Leeds said in a statement.

Meslier made 35 appearances last season as the Frenchman became the youngest goalkeeper in Premier League history to record 10 clean sheets, the team said.

In pre-season matches, Meslier has shared minutes with two other young keepers: 18-year-old Dani van den Heuvel and 19-year-old Elia Caprile.

Leeds, which finished ninth last season, faces Spanish team Real Betis in a friendly on Saturday at Loughborough University.

The squad kicks off the new season at Manchester United on Aug. 14.

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