Leo Hjelde's exit to Belgian Pro League side KV Mechelen has sparked the conversation at BBC Radio Newcastle around his cult hero status. The Norwegian centre-back featured 19 times for Sunderland in the Championship in 2024-25 on their way up to the Premier League, before going on loan to Sheffield United last season. While the 22-year-old missed out on playing in the top flight, football commentator Nick Barnes believes Sunderland fans can agree that without his contributions towards the end of their promotion campaign, they may never have made it back up in the first place.