Leeds United transfer update: Contract signed as permanent exit to be announced on Monday
Robin Koch has signed his deal to join Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer from Leeds United at the end of the season, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Sports Germany journalist reported via Twitter on 8 January that the central defender’s move is expected to be announced later the same day, with the development now sealed as he was able to sign a pre-contract this month.
Koch, 27, left for the Bundesliga on loan following relegation from the Premier League and was not expected to return as his Whites contract expires in the summer, and according to Plettenberg his priority was to remain with Eintracht.
The journalist wrote: “DONE DEAL – Robin Koch will join Eintracht on a free transfer in summer! It’s all done and signed now.
“Contract until 2027. Announcement probably today. Smart deal by Krösche as Koch always wanted to stay. He loves SGE. Big goal now: EUROs 2024.”
Inevitable
The news of Koch’s exit comes as no surprise but it will surely be a frustration at Elland Road that the German international leaves for nothing.
The Whites were deliberately handing out new contracts to central defenders last season on the basis that the fees for players at that position were increasing, yet failed to secure one with the now-Bundesliga man.
Koch was virtually ever-present in the Premier League for Leeds United last season, starting all but two games in the top flight, and played a central role in a hugely-disappointing back line.
He appears to have bounced back in his home country, and considering Diego Llorente was tied down to a new deal when he was struggling to even get into the Whites defence the latest news represents a missed opportunity for a transfer fee.
While Pascal Struijk has emerged from the previous defensive grouping with strong credit this season, albeit in the second tier, there is little of the unit who underwhelmed last season left.
Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo also remain but all have uncertain futures at Elland Road, so there was quite possibly no place for Koch even if he had longer left on his contract.
The move makes sense for all parties, but the lack of a financial benefit to the Whites is disappointing.
In other Leeds United news, one of the other loan departures is now under consideration to return this month and has been backed to thrive under Daniel Farke.