New Leeds signing shares how hidden side of Garry Monk was key to agreeing deal
By Will Butcher
Pontus Jansson has revealed how Garry Monk made him want to sign permanently at Leeds from day one after giving him a hug.
The 25-year-old put pen to paper on Thursday evening in a deal that will see his loan from Serie A side Torino become permanent at the end of the season.
Speaking to LUTV, Jansson revealed how a softer, affectionate side of Monk, which is usually hidden from the public view, was crucial in his decision to committing to the Championship promotion hopefuls.
“I wanted to be at Leeds from the first day,” Jansson said. “I’m just so happy when I look back – this is the club for me. Garry came and gave me a big smile and a big hug and that was so important for me.
“It was a special feeling, I knew instantly that it was going to be my new home. I play with a lot of emotion on the pitch and I think fans see themselves in me.
“People back home in Sweden call me the magic man, after the song. If we get promoted to the Premier League, it will be the biggest memory of my life.”
The Sweden international has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal, which will keep him at Elland Road until the summer of 2020.
Making 23 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, Jansson’s heroics at the back have even seen him earn his own song entitled “Pontus Jansson’s magic hat”.
The Yorkshire giants’ number 18 has kept 10 clean sheets during his season-long loan stay, which has also seen him find the back of the net on three separate occasions.
Scoring an 89th-minute winner against Blackburn on Wednesday which saw Leeds earn a 2-1 win, Jansson will now be hoping to help Leeds make it six wins from seven against Huddersfield on Sunday.
In other Leeds news, David Prutton has predicted the Yorkshire derby against David Wagner’s side.
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