Sweden U21 international Noel Tornqvist is flattered by reports linking him with Leeds United while describing England as ‘the dream destination’.
After missing out on one of Scandinavia’s best young goalkeepers six years ago – Noel Tornqvist was offered the chance to undergo a trial at Elland Road but opted to stay put instead – Leeds United appear to be hoping that this is a case of ‘second time lucky’.
Leeds, according to Fotbollskanalen, scouted Tornqvist again during Mjallby AIF’s recent Allsvenskan clash with Elfsborg.
And Mjallby’s highly-rated number one, having confirmed Leeds’ interest back when he was still a precocious 15-year-old, is pleased to hear that his name is still being circulated at clubs further south.
Leeds United back in for Noel Tornqvist
“Of course, great fun. Proof that you have done something well,” Tornqvist tells Fotbollskanalen, all the while reluctant to let himself get too carried away.
“You become satisfied and proud. You will find out that clubs have visited. But I have my full focus on Mjallby. I don’t want to be very involved in whether there is interest,”
“Of course, you hear it and find out (that clubs are interested). But it doesn’t affect my game if there is one spectator, 10,000 spectators or 100,000 spectators. It’s not something I stress myself out about.
“It is important that the step is right for me. If it’s in Sweden or abroad then, when the time is right, we’ll see.”
Tornqvist, according to Mjallby’s sporting director Hesse Larsson, has also caught the eye of club sin Italy. If given the choice between England and Serie A, however, do not be surprised to see Tornqvist opt for the former, especially if Daniel Farke succeeds in guiding Leeds back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
‘England is the dream’
“England is the dream destination,” adds the now-21-year-old shot-stopper. “You always remember when you were smaller with (Premier League games on TV) on Saturdays at 4pm. You might have had a match of your own in the morning, then you met some friends and watched English football.”
Soon enough, Sweden’s next generation of wannabee glovesmen could be watching Tornqvist standing between the sticks at Elland Road, inspiring a fleet of budding proteges to follow in his footsteps.
Ilan Mesler, Leeds’ current first-choice, remains in place for the time being, and will start against Stoke City tonight.
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