Premier League player could be relegated and promoted in the same season

In 2015/16, former Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet had an utterly bizarre season where he picked up two medals in the same season for two different teams, in two different leagues.

The Belgian was part of the Leicester City side who won the Premier League against all the odds under Claudio Ranieri, making 12 appearances and therefore qualifying for a medal.

However, he spent the second half of the season on loan at Middlesbrough, turning out 10 times as they finished as runners-up in the Championship and secured promotion to the Premier League.

It was a double triumph for De Laet, who even turned up to get his Premier League winners' medal at the King Power Stadium when they lifted the trophy after a win over Everton.

But another interesting tale could soon be told with Joe Geldart, who may well suffer mixed fortunes at the end of the season.

This season the 21-year-old has played 15 times for Leeds United, who are 19th in the Premier League table and sit two points adrift of safety.

The Yorkshire club are requiring quite the miracle from Sam Allardyce with three games remaining despite showing some fight in a 2-1 defeat to league leaders Manchester City.

Image: Alamy

But while the former Wigan Athletic man started the season with Leeds, he's finishing it with Sunderland.

Gelhart joined the Black Cats in January and has scored three times in 18 games, helping Tony Mowbray's side achieve a sixth-place finish and therefore qualify for the play-offs.

Sunderland beat Preston 3-0 on a dramatic final day in the Championship, capitalising on an almighty collapse from Millwall, who surrendered a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Image: Alamy

The North East outfit will now play third-placed Luton Town over two legs in the play-off semi-finals - with the winner meeting Coventry or Middlesbrough at Wembley on 27 May.

Gelhart will come up against Leeds teammate Cody Drameh, who played just once for Leeds before signing for Luton on loan.

Topics: Leeds United, Premier League, Sunderland

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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