It was rumoured back in September, and it is back. Finnish publication MTV Sport are saying Leeds United will sign the young Finland centre-back Aapo Halme from HJK Helsinki for what they say is a “significant transfer fee” (semi-educated guess £250k - £1m, probably involving add-ons and sell-on clauses).
#lufc interested in 19yo #hjk CB Aapo Halme, according to one line midway through this article from 4 days agohttps://t.co/xBz9HEmxFI
— Scouts in Attendance (@scoutsattending) September 28, 2017
The 6’4” defender is out of contract at the end of the 2018 season (note: the Finnish league is a Summer league so runs along with the calendar year, his deal will probably expire on New Years Eve 2018) and if the reports are accurate this deal could be done very soon.
Who’s this Aapo Halme character then, eh? #lufc
— Lee (@leedeetee) January 2, 2018
The players performances this year have been described as a ‘convincing breakthrough’ and having represented Finland at Under 17 and under 19 level, he this season has made the step up and been called up to the Under 21 side.
Leeds to complete signing of HJK Helsinki defender Aapo Halme in the 'next few days' #LUFC https://t.co/U1v2EK16Jt
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) January 2, 2018
Last season he made 13 appearances, 10 from the start, for the HJK Helsinki side that won the Veikkausliiga by 20 points with a +62 goal difference. While it is not the strongest league the team didn’t concede many goals which is hopefully a good sign.
Yes, I have seen Aapo couple of times. I think he would be on the bench on this dream team.
— Iván Martínez(Pachu) (@PachuMart) November 28, 2017
Halme started his career at FC Honka before moving to Klubi 04, who are the “second team” of HJK, they are currently playing in the Kakkonen (3rd tier) but have played in the Ykkonen recently (2nd tier). Halme didn’t even play in the reserves for a full-season before being called up to the HJK first team as a 17 year old.
If the player is signed I wouldn’t expect him to see much first team football this season as Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper are very settled and have had a good partnership but a bit of football in the u23 side until the end of the season could hopefully stand him in good stead for next season.