Leeds United Sign Defender Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach

Leeds United have landed experienced Swiss defender Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach in a deal worth up to £8.5m, handing Daniel Farke the defensive leader he has been chasing.

The 29-year-old has signed a three-year contract at Elland Road and, crucially, reunites with Farke, who worked with him during the 2022-23 season in the Bundesliga. That relationship proved decisive.

“He is also a big point for this change,” Elvedi said, underlining Farke’s influence on his decision. “It was just one year but I loved to have him as a manager. I learned a lot from him and I will learn a lot now.”

Mönchengladbach accepted an offer of £6.8m up front, with a further £1.7m in potential add-ons, ending Elvedi’s long spell in Germany. He leaves after 11 years at the club, where he became a mainstay and racked up 364 appearances.

On the international stage, Elvedi brings serious pedigree. He has 73 caps for Switzerland and played every minute of their recent run to the World Cup quarter-finals, a level of durability and experience that Leeds have been keen to inject into their back line.

Elvedi becomes Leeds’ fourth signing of the summer window, joining James Trafford, Harry Wilson and fellow defender Tarik Muharemovic as the club reshape Farke’s squad.

His arrival has already triggered movement. Sebastiaan Bornauw has been allowed to depart Elland Road for Hamburg on a season-long loan, clearing space in the defensive pecking order.

There was more business on Wednesday. Striker Joel Piroe left Leeds to join West Ham on a season-long loan, another significant change in a squad being steadily rebuilt around Farke’s ideas and, now, one of his most trusted former players.