This afternoon the club announced the signing of defender Max Wöber from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, subject to a work permit. He has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Elland Road, which will take him through to the summer of 2027.

The transfer was described as ‘undisclosed’ on the official website, ‘around £10 million’ by The Athletic and ‘an initial £9.75million’ by the Daily Mail. The official website will now have to work out how to write umlauts so they can print his name properly. It’s ‘Wöber’ chaps, not ‘Wober’.

Wöber becomes the latest of Jesse Marsch’s old boys to reunite with him at Elland Road, joining an expanding group that already includes Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen. He is primarily a central defender, but he can also operate at left-back and as a defensive midfield player. Like many on social media, I thought we really ought to be signing a specialist left back, but I suppose he will do to plug one of our problem positions.

The 24-year-old began his career at Rapid Vienna, before a short spell at Ajax and a period on loan at Seville. The Spanish club had the option to convert his loan to a permanent transfer, but instead he became Red Bull Salzburg’s record signing in August 2019. He made 125 appearances for the Austrian club, and he has earned13 caps for the Austrian national side.

Understandably he spurned the opportunity to play for Jose Mourinho at Roma, and he was keen to tell the Daily Mail just how delighted he is to be coming to Leeds instead. “When I extended my contract at Salzburg last summer, I made clear in the discussions that I wanted to consider any big opportunities that came my way. Then I heard during my holiday that Leeds United really wanted me. It was clear to me relatively soon that this was a chance I wanted to take.”

“You won't get an opportunity like that to play in the Premier League too often. Of course, there is the fact that I also know Jesse really well, I got on really well with him during his time here in Salzburg and know how he likes to play football. I have two good friends there too in Ras and Brenden, which made the decision easier. 'It’s a massive challenge for me. Coming now to Leeds, a club with such a big history and tradition is definitely something special and was always a dream for me.”

While Salzburg’s sporting director Christoph Freund also speaks highly of him. “Max is not only a really good defender just in the way we want of him. He is also a real leader in the team who is happy to take on responsibility, which is an important factor for a young team. We brought Max to Salzburg three and a half years ago and during this time he has more than fulfilled all the expectations placed in him as a very important leader and personality - both on and off the pitch.”

And he’s also said to be an excellent passer of the ball, which should come in handy. Wöber isn’t eligible tomorrow night, but could make his debut in Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at Cardiff City. It’s also being reported that Leeds are likely to sign a striker in the coming days, but Mateusz Klich is in talks to head out of the club and join DC United. Watch this space

Photo: Action Images

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