He arrived at Elland Road in Leeds United’s sixth game of the season, the Whites slipping to a 1-0 home defeat. Soon after his loan deal from Torino, United fans wanted Pontus Jansson to sign on a permanent deal.
That defeat left Leeds in the relegation places, but committed displays from Jansson, a growing partnership with Kyle Bartley and a knock-on effect with a more cohesive defensive unit, saw Leeds in the play-off places.
Pontus Jansson’s commitment and rapport with the fans was becoming infectious, spawning the nickname of ‘the Janssonator’, bringing the phrase ‘to be Janssoned’ into the football lexicon and generating t-shirts, art prints and ‘magic hats’.
There were mutterings, later confirmed by Leeds United, that Jansson had agreed to sign on permanently as a White on a three-year deal starting in the summer.
Last week though, news started to filter through that there was a hitch in the loan-to-permanent conversion that would see the 6ft 5in Swede swap Serie A for the Sky Bet Championship, Torino for Leeds United.
A disagreement over the fine details of the deal, a disagreement of when the payment of the near £3.5 million conversion fee was to take place that would officially cement the deal.
With Leeds United fans worried, and fearing the worst, much thinking was done that Torino were looking to renege on the deal and somehow cash in on Jansson’s higher value since his sparkling performance at the West Yorkshire based Whites.
However, as the following tweet illustrates, these differences seem to have been ironed out and everything back on a level footing.
💰@BBCLeeds understands all issues re Pontus Jansson's transfer from Torino to #lufc resolved. Jansson has signed a 3 year deal from July 1. pic.twitter.com/mt10warE4j
— BBC Sport West Yorkshire (@BBCWYS) May 18, 2017
Here’s how the news panned out on Twitter as fans reacted to the news that one of their cult favourites had been signed to the club.
Twitter reacts to clarification of Jansson transfer
Firstly reporter Phil Hay revealed the following details.
YEP understands that #lufc have paid initial installment for Pontus Jansson to Torino. #lufc believe that resolves Torino's FIFA complaint
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) May 18, 2017
Of course the general mood of Leeds United fans has been lifted greatly by the news that one obstacle has been cleared ahead of the new season. This lifting of the general mood of Leeds United fans is reflected in the comments below.
https://twitter.com/SeanyGee/status/865174205196886016
Sounds like positive news re Jansson. Pablo staying too. VERY excited about where this team could go with a full preseason under Monk. #lufc
— White Answers (@whiteanswers) May 18, 2017
There’s even some fans talking of granting him the honour of wearing the #4 shirt at the club.
i strongly believe we should give Jansson the number 4 shirt and let him carry on the legend of players that have worn it for Leeds! #lufc
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) May 18, 2017
Bit of poetry here from this Leeds fan – bit of NSFW at the end.
Ooh Pontus Jansson's magic
He wears a magic hat
Torino tried to backtrack the deal
And FIFA went fuck that#lufc— Mr Geldard (@MrJGeldard) May 18, 2017
For some, there’s a heavy sense of sarcasm dripped through with an alarming sense of realism in this last tweet.
Hopefully Jansson is now free to focus on developing a debilitating injury in keeping with all promising loanee defenders of yore. #lufc
— 𝕋𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕪 (@tommy_lufc) May 18, 2017