Just three games played this season, Leeds United dodged Joel Ekstrand bullet

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The Swede has struggled with Bristol City and Rotherham United this season.

Watford’s Joel Ekstrand (R) in action

In the summer plenty of teams were keeping their eyes on Watford’s recently released defender Joel Ekstrand.

The 27-year-old left Watford last summer when his contract with the club came to an end. He left the club after missing the entire 2015-16 season with a serious knee injury and had not played since suffering the injury in March 2015.

But he is still highly regarded in the Championship and seemed on his way to Elland Road to join Leeds before, at the last minute, Leeds withdrew from negotiations.

Ekstrand told the story to Helsingborg Dagblad and he said Leeds were trying to use his knee injury against him, so he pulled out of negotiations:

“I was offered a contract after the medical examination.

“Afterwards the negotiations were tough. The survey found that my knees looked different, which is obvious when one knee has been operated on for a cruciate ligament injury. They tried to use it against me. Therefore, it was as it was.”

Pontus Jansson of Leeds United celebrates after the game

Whatever was the case, hindsight would suggest Leeds dodged a bullet.

Ekstrand eventually joined Bristol City on a free but struggled to prove himself at the club and was released in January after playing just twice for the club.

He joined relegation strugglers Rotherham United in February. He played his first game for the two weeks later, with the Millers on the end of a 5-0 thrashing v Cardiff City. The Swede, who has two caps for the national team, has not played for the club again.

With his contract expiring in the summer and Rotherham relegated, it would seem unlikely he is to be offered a new deal at the Yorkshire club.

Watford’s Joel Ekstrand aand Middlesbrough’s Kike

Leeds meanwhile signed his countryman Pontus Jansson, who was one of the best defenders in the Championship this season.

Hopefully Ekstrand can find somewhere next season to get his career back on track. Leeds however will be glad they signed a different Swedish centre-back.