‘Have to feel proud’: Orta takes joy at one part of Leeds’ successful £1m summer swoop

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Victor Orta has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Leeds United should be proud they were the first Premier League side to pass an exemption body to sign Kristoffer Klaesson.

The Whites bought the goalkeeper from Valerenga in a deal worth in excess of £1m on July 31. Klaesson replaced Kiko Casilla as Marcelo Bielsa’s back-up option to Illan Meslier, after the Spanish shot-stopper joined Elche on loan.

Leeds had to apply to an exception panel for a work permit in order to finalise Klaesson’s move. The 20-year-old did not possess enough points to automatically obtain one under the post-Brexit Governing Body Endorsement requirements.

Orta believes Leeds should feel proud that they were the first club to successfully request an exception for Klaesson. The Norwegian’s high potential helped smooth the Whites’ case.

“The situation of the keeper was more or less sorted in parallel,” he said. “The negotiations with the loan to Elche [for Casilla, plus with Valerenga to buy Klaesson]. And I have to feel proud that we were the first team to pass an exception panel in England with Kristoffer.”

Orta added: “The addition of Junior [Firpo], in relation to the situation with [Ezgjan] Alioski, the addition of Klaesson, in relation to Casilla and obviously now Daniel [James], for me we are improving the squad.”

Should Leeds take pride like Orta claims after signing Klaesson?

Orta would certainly have been proud that Leeds were the first to successful apply for a work permit under the post-Brexit regulations when signing Klaesson from Valerenga.

Per The Athletic, the Whites Director of Football had tracked the goalkeeper for some time as he sought better options. So, Orta clearly feels Klaesson has great potential to fulfil at Leeds, which helped with their application.

Now, he will want the U21 international to apply his skill on the pitch after only featuring for the U23s. Klaesson is yet to keep a clean sheet for Leeds after conceding seven goals in three PL2 appearances this season.