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Sebastian Sorsa: Not good enough for Leeds, but good enough for international football

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Former Leeds defender Sebastian Sorsa was in international action over the weekend.

Any Leeds United fans hailing from Northern Ireland may have noted a familiar face in the Finland starting line-up on Sunday.

Former Whites signing Sebastian Sorsa was picked to feature in Finland’s 2-1 loss, a nod to his recent resurgence in his homeland.

Sorsa was signed on a free transfer by Leeds in 2008, but failed to command not just a regular place, but earn a single start.

He was sold to Scottish side Hamilton Academical, where he stayed until the end of the season before being released, and rejoining HJK Helsinki back in Finland in 2009.

Sorsa has been at the club ever since, and his form has been such that he earned an international call-up.

He was nonetheless a surprise selection in the European qualifier against Northern Ireland, his first appearance for his nation since May 2014, and just his sixth cap.

When Sorsa signed for Leeds he was billed as a winger, but it is in defence as a right-back where he has settled into position at Helsinki.

He is a three time Finnish Cup winner, and this season he has even played in eight Europa League games and four Champions League qualifiers.

Finland’s national team are ranked 78th in the world and clearly breaking into their team is not as difficult as many of the sides ranked above them, but his recent selection is testament to his consistent performances for his club, and the way he has rebuilt his career after an ill-fated season in the UK.