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“Leeds and he knows it” – Many LUFC fans celebrate £450k-rated man’s antics in promotion race

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Many Leeds United fans have been celebrating Aapo Halme’s antics for Barnsley, after scoring the equalising goal against West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.

Halme joined the Whites from HJK Helsinki in January 2018 for a fee in the region of £500,000, but failed to meet the grade in Marcelo Bielsa’s plans before leaving Elland Road for Oakwell this summer in a six-figure transfer.

The Finland U21 captain, with 14 outings at age level, made just five senior appearances for United during his 18-months at the club, of which only two were starts and one came in the Championship.

He had to wait until matchday four of the season to make his second-tier debut with the Tykes, and soon became a regular of Daniel Stendel’s plans prior to his sacking.

Gerhard Struber has been indecisive in his backing of the £450,000-rated centre-half since his appointment in November, but trusted Halme to start in a central midfield role on Boxing Day as his Barnsley side hosted Slaven Bilic’s league-leading West Brom.

Was it a mistake selling Halme in the summer?

Yes

No

Bilic’s Baggies appeared on course to secure a valuable three points in the promotion race after Filip Krovinovic opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but were forced to settle for a draw as Halme converted from point-blank range in the 90th.

Halme’s equalising goal came from his only shot of the game having plied his trade from the core of the pitch for much of proceedings, where he registered four successful tackles from six attempts alongside two interceptions, per WhoScored data.

The 21-year-old also won three of his six aerial duels, completed one of two dribbles, and found a teammate with 17 of his 29 passes.

Halme scoring the equalising goal, which meant West Brom’s lead at the top could only be extended to four points before we visited Preston North End, has been widely celebrated on social media by Leeds United supporters.

Here are some of the messages shared…

In other Leeds United news, a second club have entered the race to land a 5 ft 6 Whites man in January.

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