Loan spells can be a tricky business at the best of times, with a large number of them working out pretty badly for all concerned.
Sometimes, though, they’re exactly what everyone, players and clubs’ were looking for and in the case of Leo Østigård that is undoubtedly true.
The Brighton defender joined German side St Pauli on loan back in the summer, hoping to get game time to continue his development away from the Amex.
That has certainly happened, with the 20 year old defender becoming a regular for the club this season, making 20 appearances in all competitions so far.
Not only that, according to BILD, he’s earned himself quite the reputation at the club during his time too, particularly among the fans.
The newspaper covered his situation, and it’s fair to say that young Brighton defender has been earning himself plenty of fans.
“He’s simply amazing this guy! The best central defender we’ve had in years” one fan told the newspaper, who say the fans are celebrating Østigård for his ‘top footballing qualities’ and his apparent love for the club.
The best of those footballing qualities appears to be his jumping ability, or ‘enormous bounce’ as Bild describe it, with it explained that despite him being 1.83 metres tall, he hardly ever loses aerial duels against opponents.
St. Pauli are keen to keep him; indeed it’s the ‘biggest wish’ of the club’s fans, although the ‘chances are rather slim’ according to the report.
Why? Because his transfer value has increased from €300,000 to just under a million during his loan spell and, if Brighton are relegated, he is seen as a ‘building block’ for the future.
That means this loan spell will probably only be a ‘temporary love’ although at the moment it’s seeming one that’s burning very hot indeed.
