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Sunderland have signed defender Leo Hjelde from Championship rivals Leeds United on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old centre-back has been limited to just three appearances for Leeds this season, and eight in total.

Hjelde joined Leeds from Celtic, having previously been at Norwegian side Rosenborg, and has been on loan to Rotherham and Ross County.

"I'm a ball-playing centre-back, or left-back," Hjelde said.

"I like to get up and down the pitch. I've been at some big clubs previously and this has helped me develop as a player and as a person, but I'm now ready to push on and take the next step."

The son of former Nottingham Forest defender Jon Olav Hjelde, Leo was born in Nottingham and has spent a large part of his career in Britain, as well as representing Norway Under-21s.

"I spoke to my dad, who showed me the size of the club and the support," Hjelde added. "I knew it was a move I simply couldn't turn down."

Meanwhile, Black Cats forward Jewison Bennette has joined Greek top-flight side Aris on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old Costa Rica international has made two appearances for Sunderland this season.

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