Robin Koch transfer update emerges from Sky Sports on Leeds United exit

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

08 Jan 2024, 5:40 am

Robin Koch is edging closer to a permanent transfer away from Leeds United as Eintracht Frankfurt enter the final stages of negotiations, according to Sky Sports Germany.

The website reported [7 January] that Frankfurt are close to signing the Leeds centre-back on a free transfer until 2027, having impressed on his season-long loan at the German club.

It is believed that Koch is very keen on staying at the club, wanting to impress ahead of Germany's international fixtures in March. He has become a first-team regular under Dino Toppmoller and is set to move away from Elland Road on a free transfer.

What a shame

The 27-year-old was one of the handful of players to leave Elland Road after the Whites were exiled from the Premier League last season, alongside Marc Roca, Brenden Aaronson, Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen.

He made 79 appearances in all competitions for the Whites over three seasons, enjoying some success in the top tier of English football. Marcelo Bielsa brought the defender to the club, putting total faith in him.

Koch was one of the mainstays in Leeds' squad for the tough campaign, starting 36 of their 38 league matches. But the defender chose an out during the summer of 2023, fleeing to Germany. And it seems to be the right decision for the player.

There is no doubt about his ability on the pitch, starting 14 of Frankfurt's 16 league games so far, helping the club to a sixth-place standing in the Bundesliga and qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League.

However, the centre-back leaving on a free transfer will be a huge blow for Leeds, joining the club in 2020 for a reported £12million. Sadly, it has not worked out for the German international.

In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope slammed a Whites player for his “embarrassing” performance against Peterborough.

Leeds United

Robin Koch

Eintracht Frankfurt