Nafisa20-year-old defender Nikolai Hopland currently working at Heerenveen in the Eredivisie, has revealed that playing for Leeds United has long been his ambition since childhood even though he has been in the radar of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The Norwegian Under-21 international has enjoyed a promising start to the season in the Dutch league, earning valuable playing time and showcasing the potential that has put him as one of the most exciting young talents in his position considering age wise.
Hopland, who has already accumulated over 700 minutes of football this season, is currently boosting his development. If his progress continues, it’s likely that bigger clubs will soon be calling, but it’s Leeds United that remains his destination of choice as he always dream of the Yorkshire club.
In an interview with Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur, Hopland spoke passionately about his long-standing admiration for the Yorkshire club. “People often laugh when I say this, but since I was four, it has always been Leeds United,” he said. “Together with my father, I have been there about 20 times.”
The young defender even revealed that his devotion to the club runs so deep that he owns every Leeds shirt from the past 15 years, all of which occupy a place in his wardrobe. “I think I have every shirt they’ve had in the last 15 years in my wardrobe, and I still watch almost every game if it works out with our own schedule. A really great club,” he added to the interviewer.
For Hopland, the prospect of one day doning one of the famous white shirt of Leeds is the stuff of dreams which the youngstar will like to fulfill. “It is my dream to play for them one day, and I will do everything I can to make that dream come true,” he said without hesitation.
With time we will see Whether Hopland’s dream materialises, but for now, the young central defender’s heart is firmly set on a future at Elland Road.
Nafisa
