Blackburn Rovers secure Swedish goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt
Blackburn Rovers have officially announced the signing of 24-year-old Swedish international, Leopold Wahlstedt, from Norwegian top-flight club Odds Ballklubb for an undisclosed fee.
Wahlstedt, a highly-rated goalkeeper, has committed to a three-year term, marking Rovers’ fourth acquisition this summer.
Wahlstedt began his professional journey in Sweden, debuting for Dalkurd FF in August 2018 when he was merely 19.
After a brief spell at Arendal in Norway, he secured a significant move to Odds BK.
The Swedish keeper’s consistent performances have seen him amass 64 appearances in three seasons, boasting an impressive eight clean sheets in 17 games this season alone — the highest in Norway’s top division.
Internationally, Wahlstedt’s talents were recognized with his inclusion in the Sweden senior team in September 2022, culminating in his debut in a 2-0 victory against Finland in January 2023.
Wahlstedt was present at Ewood Park as Blackburn commenced their Championship season with a triumph against West Brom.
Upon completion of international clearance and visa formalities, he is set to don the number 12 jersey for the Rovers.
Gregg Broughton, Rovers’ Director of Football, expressed his elation over the signing, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Leo to Blackburn Rovers.”
“We have monitored his progress over the past 12 months and, in addition to his excellent shot-stopping, Leo’s ability to play out from the back is at a very high level.
Succession planning is a straightforward exercise in theory, but in real life is reliant upon timing factors that are often out of your control.
“We are grateful that, following Thomas Kaminski’s departure, we were able to put our plan into place and sign a goalkeeper with such high potential.”
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Crystal Palace transfer decision will come as blow to Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool
Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool’s pursuit of Scott Banks has reached a decisive moment
Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool are both set to miss out on the signing of Scott Banks.
According to Alan Nixon, the Crystal Palace youngster is instead set for a move to the 2. Bundesliga.
The Premier League side have agreed a deal with St. Pauli, with Banks on his way to Hamburg for talks to complete the move.
The attacking midfielder was the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks, with Blackpool first showing an interest in Banks.
But the Scot is making the switch from English football to German, in a surprise twist to this transfer saga.
What is the latest situation involving Blackburn Rovers’ interest in Scott Banks?
Blackpool had initially agreed a £500,000 deal with Palace for the 21-year-old, but that move had looked to be hijacked by Rovers last week.
Jon Dahl Tomasson was keen to add the playmaker to his ranks before the summer deadline closes on 1 September.
An enquiry was made by the Lancashire club, with a view to a potential loan deal for the player.
However, the Championship side now appear to have missed out on the surprise transfer target.
St. Pauli came fifth in the table last year, but were unable to secure promotion to the German top flight.
They will be aiming to make their way back into the Bundesliga this season, with the addition of Banks a signal of their intent.
Meanwhile, Blackburn have already added Leopold Wahlstedt, Sondre Tronstad, Niall Ennis and Arnór Sigurdsson to their squad this summer in a bid to improve on their seventh place finish last year.
Who is Scott Banks?
Banks is an attacking midfielder that has come through the ranks at Dundee United.
The 21-year-old made the switch to Palace when he was still a teenager, in the 2020 January transfer window on a three-year deal.
The Scot has not made an appearance for the London club’s first team squad, but has enjoyed three separate loan stints.
He has featured for Alloa Athletic, Dunfermline Athletic and Bradford City over the years.
Banks contributed six goals and three assists during his time in League Two last season, appearing 29 times for Mark Hughes’ side as they earned a sixth place finish.
The midfielder will be hoping that the switch to St. Pauli will prove yet another step up in his career, as he seeks greater game time by making the decision to leave Palace this summer.
How big of a blow is it to Blackburn to miss out on the signing of Scott Banks?
Banks looks like a promising figure and could have been a useful option to have in the squad at Ewood Park.
Similarly, Blackpool have missed out on a player that looked more than capable of competing to a high standard in League One.
That the Seasiders seemingly agreed a deal with Palace will also come as a blow, as they will feel they should’ve completed the move.
But the opportunity to improve his game in Germany has proven alluring, and it could yet prove a very smart next step to take in his career.
