Former Malmö FF goalkeeper Melker Ellborg made his Premier League debut for Sunderland in an away match against Leeds United. The 22-year-old started in goal because Sunderland's regular goalkeeper Robin Roefs is injured. Ellborg was sold from Malmö FF to Sunderland in January in a record transfer deal for a goalkeeper in the Swedish Allsvenskan, reportedly worth 42 million Swedish kronor plus bonuses, and signed a contract until 2030, according to reports to Expressen.
The match featured a Swedish meeting as Gabriel Gudmundsson, a Swedish national team player, was also expected to play for Leeds, according to British media. Sunderland is in twelfth place in the Premier League table and is seeking an important win after going winless in their last four league matches.