Pierre-Michel Lasogga refused to ask for permission to skip Leeds United’s clash against Ipswich – and supporters have hailed the “extraordinary” commitment of their on-loan striker on Twitter.
Lasogga’s baby daughter was born in his native Germany on Friday night but he did not divulge that to manager Thomas Christiansen or his teammates ahead of their Saturday home match at Elland Road.
The forward played and scored against the Tractor Boys before travelling back to his homeland on Saturday night to see his daughter for the first time.
Christiansen revealed at his media briefing on Monday that Lasogga had kept his daughter’s birth a secret before kick-off at Elland Road on Saturday, and both he and the players were unaware that the summer signing had become a father on Friday night.
Christiansen explained, as quoted on the personal Twitter account of Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay, that there was no question of the striker, 25, missing either the Ipswich or Cardiff matches.
“He’s been very professional. He’s not the sort of person to ask permission (to miss a game),” Christiansen said.
Christiansen says he and the players were unaware that Lasogga had become a dad last week. Kept it quiet before kick-off. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) September 25, 2017
Christiansen on Lasogga: “He’s been very professional. He’s not the sort of person to ask permission (to miss a game).” #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) September 25, 2017
Leeds fans took to social media on masse on Monday to pay tribute to Lasogga, who is on a season-long loan from Bundesliga club Hamburg.
Some urged United to sign the former Germany Under-21 international, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting that he earns £50,000-a-week, on a permanent deal, while others compared him favourable to former players who refused to play for the club.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Extraordinary show of commitment from Lasogga, who didn’t actually tell Christiansen his wife had given birth on Friday before the game.
— Chris Taylor (@LUFCDATA) September 25, 2017
How’s this for dedication? Compare this attitude to the “sick six” and you start to see why #LUFC are now back to being a team we can love https://t.co/JsLvgQ4xUs
— Patrick Hall (@Patrick_hall) September 25, 2017
Some people refuse to play to avoid injury. This lad played knowing full well his missus would be pissed and would likely kill him #lufc https://t.co/LuJyCAr0m6
— mathew hibbert (@matteohib94) September 25, 2017
#LUFC pic.twitter.com/dmtfT6taHR
— Cockney White (@cockney_white) September 24, 2017
Wow – real professionalism by @Lasogga10 ! Didn’t tell the players his baby had arrived until after the game! Hats off to you sir! #LUFC
— Chaz Cole (@chaz_coleman) September 25, 2017
Shows how far #LUFC have come, from the sicknote six to Lasogga doing everything he could to play at the weekend despite just becoming a Dad
— Steve Turner (@SteveLTurner) September 25, 2017
That is unbelievable commitment from @Lasogga10 .. what a man. Sign him up. 5 year deal. https://t.co/bodZEbu1tO
— Matt (@MattistutaG) September 25, 2017