Bye-bye Pontus!! - Pontus Jansson signs for Brentford

As I first reported here last week when rumours began surfacing that Pontus Jansson had been banned from the Leeds training ground, Pontus Jansson, the talismanic and cult Swedish defender has been sold to Brentford for £5.5 million.

Pontus joined Leeds in August 2016 on an initial season-long loan but was made permanent in February the following year on a 3-year contract.

He was an immediate hit with the Leeds fans. Passionate, hard working and playing to the Kop, he soon reached hero status with his hard-playing ways and with a few goals sprinkled in, usually by the head from set pieces when his 6'4'' frame rose up above the defence, his status in Leeds folklore was assured.

Never one to shy away from speaking his mind, he received a one-match ban for swearing whilst being interviewed by Sky TV, also making controversial comments about the referee's performance.

Pontus however, had a bit of an ego and played to the gallery. His apparent love of attention began to create a few disgruntled rumblings on the terraces but these perceived shortcomings were by far surpassed by his performances on the field and obvious love of the shirt. He made no secret of the fact he wanted to play in the Premiership with Leeds and his dejected, heartbroken face, huddled at the side of the advertising hoardings after our defeat to Derby will no doubt become an iconic image, albeit for the wrong reasons.

Dejection felt by us all after defeat by Derby

The fans loved Pontus, and he loved the adoration but football is very dynamic both literally and figuratively and his time at Leeds has come to an end with his sale to Brentford. I am surprised he didn't wait for a Premiership club to take him but having known he had to leave, I guess wanted a swift conclusion and to stay in England as reports suggest he told his agent to find him a club here.

£5.5million isn't a lot for a Swedish International of his pedigree but once relationships have broken down between a club and player, the parting must be swift and to cause minimal disruption. Bielsa is known to be strongly team focused.

In an interview last night after signing, his reasons for being sold were tactfully given as to help Leeds stay within the financial fair play rules, the word on the street is that he had become a disruptive influence in the dressing room and was too much of an individual. Whatever the reason, its chapter closed and I just want to say thank you for being Leeds and 'getting' the club and its supporters.

Best wishes Pontus Jansson and I hope you achieve your dream of playing in the Premiership with Brentford; but not at our expense!!

Marching on Together

@nathen007

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