When he arrived at Leeds United it was a meeting of two loves. Leeds United fell in love with the rugged, yet skilled Swedish defender and Pontus Jansson fell back in love with football.
Fans quickly warmed to his dominating defending, his displays alongside Swansea loanee Kyle Bartley helping to solidify what used to be a jelly-like Leeds United central defensive pairing. Jansson and Bartley became the calming and soothing salve to the rashes caused on many Leeds United fans by pairings involving Jason Pearce, Giuseppe Bellusci and Sol Bamba.
Jansson put himself about, his slide tackles showing strength, determination and timing. T-shirts were printed bearing his likeness as the ‘Janssonator’, a phrase was coined for hard tackling – ‘to be Janssoned’ and his fist-pumping finales to wins really helped to lift the crowds.
He was only a loanee from Serie A side Torino, his arrival coming after a falling out over a reneged deal by the Italian side. His performances, along with a hint that there was a redemption clause after 20/22 games, left Whites fans wanting him signed on a permanent deal.
Their wish was granted, with the club releasing news in early February that Jansson’s season-long loan had been converted to a permanent deal effective when the transfer window opened for the summer on July 1. Of course, with this being Leeds United, it was not plain sailing and there was even an instance of Torino referring the deal to FIFA for adjudication and clarification over the timescale of payment.
Earlier today, Pontus Jansson tweeted the following to Leeds United fans.
https://twitter.com/PJansson5/status/869557113089118209
With news like this coming from the fan favourite, you could expect jubilant fans to respond. Leeds United fans didn’t let your expectations down and responded in volume to Jansson’s tweet.
Jansson tweets “see you next season” – Leeds United fans respond on Twitter
Top man 👊👊
— Bielsa's Cheese Wedge Ultras (@Allcheese1) May 30, 2017
I love you so much Pontus. Dump @asathornell and marry me x #lufc 💙💛
— Pontus Fan Club (@pontusfanclub) May 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Jordan_Doherty/status/869559469147131904
Finally some loyalty 😍👏🏼
— Danny Page (@DannyP95_) May 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/JackRich/status/869560348914974721
Your loyalty, passion & efforts will be hugely rewarded game in, game out Pontus, you'll be a class premier league CB in the near future💙💛
— Rob Campbell (@RobCampbell97) May 30, 2017
Pontus, You the man…. Have a word with your pal @officialcwood get him to assure us he's good too 👌 #ALAW
— Rob (@bobbygamora) May 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Mickandu/status/869594851997884416
For Leeds United fans, confirmation from Jansson that he’s a Leeds United player has joined a surge of positivity today with news of Victor Orta’s appointment as Director of Football. The latter confirmation, that of Orta joining Leeds United, has already started the odds on Aitor Karanka shortening with online bookmaker Sky Bet.