Pontus Jansson could have joined Aston Villa as a teenager but was not interested.
Blackburn’s Danny Graham in action with Leeds’ Pontus Jansson
Pontus Jansson has been a revelation since signing for Leeds United on loan late in the transfer window.
The Swede has played a key role in the club recording four successive wins, and has struck up a solid partnership with fellow loanee Kyle Bartley.
Jansson signed from Serie A side Torino, who he joined from Malmo, but his career could have taken a very different career path if he wanted it to.
Now 25, Jansson had an option to potentially join Aston Villa as a teenager, Swedish newspaper Expressen report.
Rajiv van La Parra of Huddersfield Town in action with Pontus Jansson of Leeds United
As a 16-year-old, Jansson was invited for a trial at Villa, then managed by Martin O’Neill.
But the centre-back rejected the opportunity, saying his priority was to star at Malmo and play in front of the home fans.
He said at the time: “It’s flattering that Aston Villa are interested in me, but it has to feel right to take the step into Europe and it does not make sense right now.”
He also added that he felt confident his time would come regardless, adding: “The chance to play for a big club abroad will not disappear just because I choose to stay in at Malmo. I am quite convinced that there will be more chances as long as I continue to train hard.”
Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) and Pontus Jansson celebrate after the match
Jansson is now at his big club, Leeds United, and will seal a permanent move once he makes his 20th appearance of his loan, and also a Swedish international.
Leeds are currently above Aston Villa in the table for the first time in more than a decade, with the Whites in 12th and Villa 18th, and there is no better time for Jansson to reflect on his career choices and feel he chose the right path.
Yet his outstanding performances in recent weeks suggest he is exactly the type of player Aston Villa could have done with not just this season, but in preceding years.
Wayne Routledge of Swansea City (R) in action with Pontus Jansson of Malmo
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