Leo Hjelde ‘to miss’ at least six months after Mechelen debut injury | OneFootball

Former Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde suffered a serious injury on his Mechelen debut, with a lengthy absence anticipated.

He started the 3-3 Belgian Pro League draw at home to Standard Liege on Sunday and was stretchered off after 38 minutes.

Sunderland Echo reports he sustained a patellar tendon tear and is expected to be out for at least six months. Belgian outlet GVA adds he will undergo surgery in the coming days.

The Norwegian signed a three-year contract last week after leaving Sunderland, where he struggled for regular minutes during two-and-a-half years that included a brief loan at Sheffield United. He left Elland Road for the Stadium of Light in January 2024 for around £1.5m.

Hjelde spent two-and-a-half years at Leeds, making eight appearances, including two in the Premier League, after joining from Celtic, where he did not feature for the first team. His senior experience before Leeds came on loan at Ross County.

Leeds loaned him to Rotherham United during their 2022/23 relegation season, and he made 13 appearances. He reached double figures for Championship outings at Sunderland, playing 17 times in 2024/25 as the Black Cats won promotion via the play-offs, but did not feature last season after Achilles surgery in June 2025.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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