Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen has made the switch to Serie A outfit AS Roma, the club have announced.
Kristensen’s transfer has been in the works for several weeks and was effectively confirmed by widespread reports that the Dane was undergoing a medical in Italy yesterday.
The 26-year-old joins Jose Mourinho’s side on a season-long loan, following fellow Whites defender Diego Llorente to the Stadio Olimpico in the process.
There is no mention of an option-to-buy clause being included in the deal – or of a loan fee – in Leeds’ statement confirming the move.
Kristensen joined Leeds from RB Salzburg last summer for a fee of around £10m, as the Whites sought to strengthen a weak defence.
And, despite making 26 Premier League appearances for the Whites across both the right-back and right-centre-back positions last season, it is difficult to say that Kristensen shone during his time in West Yorkshire.
Kristensen’s move leaves the door open for young prospect Cody Drameh, who has struggled for game time in his natural right-back berth, finding himself behind both club stalwart Luke Ayling and Kristensen in the pecking order.
An indication that Whites manager Daniel Farke is set to grant Drameh more minutes this season came in Leeds’ pre-season friendly clash with rivals Manchester United in Oslo on Wednesday, with Drameh the only player to play the full 90 minutes.
Kristensen’s departure makes him the sixth senior Leeds player to leave this transfer window so far, following Tyler Roberts, Robin Koch, Llorente, Brenden Aaronson and Rodrigo through the Elland Road exit door.
