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Former Celtic defender Leo Hjelde looks set to continue his career in Belgium, with KV Mechelen closing in on the Norwegian centre-back’s signature. The 22-year-old is expected to join the Belgian Pro League side on a permanent deal from Sunderland, with the Black Cats retaining a sell-on clause as part of the agreement. Hjelde is reportedly set to sign a four-year contract. 🚨EXCLUSIVE: KV Mechelen set to sign Leo Hjelde! 🇳🇴 🔴🟡 The highly rated and promising Norwegian defender is expected to join KVM on a permanent move. Sunderland AFC will also retain a sell-on clause. ✍🏻 Hjelde will sign a 4 years deal. 🐈⬛ Deal now done. #mercato #SAFC #JPL pic.twitter.com/g7ycuRzmLa — Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 7, 2026 It marks another chapter in a career that has taken plenty of twists since Celtic snapped him up as one of Norway’s brightest young prospects. The defender arrived at Parkhead in July 2019, signing his first professional contract with the Hoops at just 15 years old before being fast-tracked into the reserve squad. Although highly rated, Hjelde never made a senior appearance for Celtic. Instead, he gained valuable first-team experience during a loan spell at Ross County in 2021, where he quickly caught the eye in the Scottish Premiership. His performances in Dingwall were enough to convince Leeds United to make their move later that year, signing him on a four-year deal in August 2021. After a handful of appearances at Elland Road, Hjelde joined Sunderland permanently in January 2024 before spending the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield United. Now, Belgium appears to be the next destination for the versatile defender. Back during his Ross County spell, then-manager and former Celtic defender John Hughes was convinced Hjelde had the attributes to reach the very top. [The Celtic Wiki] He said in 2021: “Leo is going to be the next Van Dijk – trust me on that. “The quality he has shown, the physical challenge, playing real men’s football and standing up to it, it’s been a wonderful experience for Leo. “Before he came, Leeds United were after him. I think he had to sign an extension to his contract for the loan to go through.” While Hjelde’s career hasn’t quite followed the trajectory many predicted when he arrived at Celtic as a teenager, he is still only 22 and has plenty of time to fulfil the potential that made him one of the club’s most exciting academy recruits. A move to KV Mechelen offers the chance for regular first-team football, something that could prove crucial as he looks to establish himself after spells in Scotland and England.