It looks like there’s a conclusion to the Noel Törnqvist and Leeds United story, at least for now.
Sweden’s Hallandsposten reports that the young goalkeeper has had training stints with Leeds United, Sampdoria and Verona but has decided to commit himself to Halmia until 2020.
Such a relatively short contract allows the 16 year old to keep his options and it won’t be too hard to move even before that deal comes to an end.
In November 2017, the player’s agent Liridon Kelmendi spoke to the Swedish media about a training trip to the Championship club and certainly sounded impressed: “Leeds has a common thing where the entire academy is eating together with the A team, and these are the values we’re looking for. They care about their talents.
“Leeds is a club that really takes care of their players, they’re at the top of England in talent development and that made me and Noel come here. It has gone well.”
At the time the club were said to be very keen to sign the player before he put pen to paper on his first professional contract.
In January this year, Törnqvist spoke after returning to Leeds United for another training taste: “Sure, you hope to be offered a contract here in Leeds, but after this week everything is focused on Halmia.”
In April, the agent confirmed an offer from Leeds United, but it wasn’t good enough at that stage: “They came in with an offer. But it was not interesting enough to leave Halmia. Halmia has done a great job with Noel, and have done so since he came in January.”
Kelmendi went on to say there was also interest from Serie A and La Liga: “Yes, that’s right. Noel will be playing with Sampdoria between April 10-14. Then he will be playing at Atletico Madrid in May, and Valencia in June.”
Despite all the interest, a short contract has been signed, but it’s unlikely that will kill interest from Leeds United and others.
Exclusive: Ibai Gomez ‘very interested’ in England move, Leeds’ status and Bielsa a plus. https://t.co/SKZLPn8bLx #lufc #mot
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) October 25, 2018