Main image of Sebastiaan Bornauw smiling while training at Leeds United and Isaac Schmidt's face in the circular inset on the right

Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw and Isaac SchmidtImago

Leeds United's Sebastiaan Bornauw change could indicate the end for Isaac Schmidt

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with a Masters in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University; transfer and club specialist across the Breaking Media network. FOCUS Transfer news, breaking stories, and club-level insight across the Premier League and EFL. THE INSIGHT Aheed utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the foundations behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

16 Jul 2026, 9:10 am

Leeds United have started preparations for next season as Daniel Farke's squad returned for pre-season.

Sebastiaan Bornauw was among the contingent put through their paces as the Whites put plans in place for the upcoming campaign.

The 27-year-old didn't play a lot of football last season under the German manager, but he did provide valuable cover at the back.

Bornauw signed for Leeds last summer and donned the number 23 shirt, but seems to have changed.

The Belgium international was pictured at Leeds Beckett University undergoing a physical test.

With the Carnegie School of Sport hosting the West Yorkshire outfit's squad for the first day of pre-season, Farke may have already made a significant decision about his squad.

Isaac Schmidt future bleak at Leeds United after pre-season development

Isaac Schmidt spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen after struggling for minutes in his debut campaign in LS11.

The 26-year-old has now returned to Elland Road, but it may not be long before he's on his way out again.

In the pictures shared on Instagram by Leeds Beckett University, Bornauw can be seen wearing the number 33 on his shirt.

Schmidt was handed that number when he arrived at the West Yorkshire outfit from St Gallen two years back.

View this post on Instagram

The developments with the centre-back could potentially indicate that there's no room for the Swiss national in Farke's plans going forward.

As previously covered by MOT Leeds News, Schmidt is attracting interest from FC Basel and BSC Young Boys.

Daniel Farke transfer twist: Isaac Schmidt could now completely change 49ers summer plans

Why Sebastiaan Bornauw change doesn't mean much for his future

Some fans may now wonder whether Bornauw is now guaranteed to be a part of Leeds' squad after the recent change.

The Whites have sold Pascal Struijk to Brighton and Hove Albion, leaving them light on options at centre-back.

Farke shifted to a five-man defence midway through last season at the West Yorkshire outfit, which certainly increased the Belgian defender's importance in the squad.

There will still be uncertainty around Bornauw's future considering Tarik Muharemovic's imminent move to Elland Road.

The Peacocks are about to spend big money on the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, hinting that he could be a guaranteed starter next season.

Isaac Osa's Schmidt