Why Aapo Halme has no regrets switching from Leeds United to Barnsley

After a difficult start with the Reds, the former Leeds United player has shown his value both in his preferred position in the heart of defence and in a holding midfield role in 2019-20.

All told, Halme has made 24 league starts this term with his career graph on an upward trajectory after making just a handful of appearances at Leeds ahead of his summer move.

Despite being in the thick of a relegation fight, the Finn insists he has taken plenty from this season.

He said: “In the hardest times, you learn from them and appreciate the good times more.

“When you are doing good, you are more happy as you worked so hard to get there through the tough times.

“Every footballer wants to play week in, week out and I got the opportunity to play here and I am really happy and as a team, we have to stay in the league.

“Maybe I could have had more chances at Leeds. But then again, it is a big club and you have to be ready to play there (straightaway) as they are a club who are trying to get promoted to the Premier League.

“It was realistic to come here and I think that being at a massive club helped me when I came here.”

Halme has formed a promising partnership in recent times with January recruit Michael Sollbauer, with the 21-year-old believing that the addition of such an experienced defender has had positive spin-offs for his own game.

He added: “I think so. Maybe I can be now just focus on my game as he is just doing the organising and talking.

“Obviously, I talk but he is maybe more vocal and it has been helpful.”