Leo Hjelde: Sunderland signs Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Leo Hjelde, a defender, was acquired by Sunderland for an unknown fee from Championship opponent Leeds United. The contract is for four and a half years.

Only three of the 20-year-old center back’s eight appearances for Leeds this season have come from him.

Hjelde was on loan at Rotherham and Ross County before joining Leeds from Celtic. Hjelde was formerly at Rosenborg in Norway.

Hjelde declared, “I’m a ball-playing center-back or left-back.”

“I enjoy moving around the field. I’ve previously played for some large teams, which has helped me grow both as a player and a person, but I’m now prepared to advance and get to the next level.”

Leo was born in Nottingham and has primarily played in Britain. He is the son of former Nottingham Forest defender Jon Olav Hjelde, and he has also represented Norway under-21s.

“I spoke to my dad, who showed me the size of the club and the support,” Hjelde said. “I knew it was a move I simply couldn’t turn down.”

On loan until the end of the season, Black Cats forward Jewison Bennette has joined Greek first division team Aris.

This season, the 19-year-old international for Costa Rica has made two appearances for Sunderland.