Phil Hay: Robin Koch makes Leeds United decision after stall in contract talks
Eintracht Frankfurt have announced that they have reached a pre-contract agreement with Robin Koch after contract talks broke down between the defender and Leeds United, according to Phil Hay.
Reporting via The Athletic (9 January), Hay revealed that the Whites attempted to sign the 27-year-old to a new deal last season, but talks stalled as the threat of relegation from the Premier League loomed.
Following Leeds’ eventual drop to the Championship, Koch joined Frankfurt on loan in the summer and has now signed a pre-contract which will make his stay permanent when his Leeds United deal expires at the end of June.
The Germany international has put pen to paper on a deal which will keep him with Frankfurt until 2027.
No surprise
It will certainly come as no shock to Leeds United supporters that Koch was hesitant to sign a new deal at Elland Road amid the club’s tumultuous campaign last time out.
Considering the clause in his contract which allowed him to depart on loan should the club be relegated, it would have been difficult to convince the player to sign a new deal which would have likely blocked that option.
Koch has thrived since his move to Frankfurt, starting all but four matches, which he missed due to a calf injury, and captaining the Bundesliga outfit on occasion.
With his exit now confirmed, alongside the revelation that he didn’t plan to extend his stay with the Whites, supporters can say their farewells and move on relatively comfortably, and turn their attention toward players who are keen to wear a Leeds United shirt and fight for the West Yorkshire side.
Daniel Farke has his players pushing for promotion, and after the impressive performances of loanee Joe Rodon so far this season, Leeds fans will perhaps be keen for the club to pull off a Frankfurt/Koch move of their own and tie the Welshman down permanently as they look to replace their now-former defender.
In other Leeds United news, one Premier League defender is open to making a switch and joining up with the Whites in January.