Leo Hjelde to have knee surgery after injury 34 minutes into Mechelen debut | OneFootball

Leo Hjelde will undergo surgery on a ruptured patellar tendon after being injured 34 minutes into his Mechelen debut, days after his Sunderland exit. The Norway Under-21 defender was carried off during the first half against Standard Liege.

The club said in a statement that scans confirmed a rupture of the patellar tendon and that he will have an operation in the coming days.

Hjelde completed a permanent move last week, signing a three-year deal, and was handed an immediate start in Mechelen's first home game of the new season on Sunday.

The match with Standard Liege ended 3-3. Mechelen had begun their campaign with a 2-0 defeat at CAA Gent seven days earlier.

The former Sunderland defender joined the Black Cats in January 2024 and made 30 appearances in all competitions over the last two and a half seasons, achieving cult-hero status on Wearside.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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