NafisaLeeds United have completed an agreement to sign Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach, with the defender now set to become Daniel Farke’s latest defensive addition.
Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has confirmed that a full agreement has now been reached between Leeds and Borussia Mönchengladbach for the Switzerland international.
The transfer fee is understood to be €10million (£8.5m), plus a 15 per cent sell-on clause in favour of the Bundesliga club.
Plettenberg has revealed that the paperwork is now being finalised, while preparations for Elvedi’s medical are already underway.
The agreement between Elvedi and Leeds was already in place earlier this week, with the 29-year-old set to sign a contract running until 2029.
This means the final obstacle that had threatened to delay the transfer has now been cleared, with Leeds moving quickly to get their new centre-back through the door.
Nico Elvedi is now a Leeds United player
The development represents another important piece of business for Leeds as Farke continues to reshape his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Elvedi had emerged as a major target after Sebastiaan Bornauw’s expected departure created the need for another centre-back.
There had initially been some uncertainty over the deal, with Leeds’ pursuit reportedly linked to Bornauw’s situation.
However, the latest update confirms that Leeds have now reached a full agreement with Gladbach, meaning the Elvedi transfer is moving towards completion.
The defender was also left out of Gladbach’s pre-season friendly against Aston Villa, further indicating that his future was already heading away from Borussia-Park.
For Leeds, it is another sign of how aggressively the club have approached the transfer window.
James Trafford, Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson have already arrived, while Elvedi now looks set to become another significant addition to Farke’s squad.
Farke gets his former Borussia Mönchengladbach star:
Perhaps the most intriguing part of the transfer is Farke’s previous relationship with Elvedi.
The Leeds manager worked with the Switzerland international during his time in charge of Gladbach during the 2022/23 season.
Farke knows exactly what the defender can bring to his side and has previously described Elvedi in extremely glowing terms.
“Nico Elvedi is an absolute leader for us,” Farke previously said.
“When he is at his best, he is one of the best central defenders in Europe. He has proven that over the years.”
That familiarity could be extremely valuable for Leeds.
Elvedi has spent a decade at Gladbach after joining from FC Zürich and has accumulated vast Bundesliga experience, alongside Champions League and Europa League football.
He is also capable of operating in both a back four and a back three, giving Farke another tactically flexible option.
At 29, he should also provide the experience Leeds need as they look to establish themselves in the Premier League.
Leeds’ defensive rebuild continues
The signing comes after Leeds already strengthened their defence with the arrival of Muharemovic following Pascal Struijk’s departure.
With Bornauw also expected to leave, Elvedi’s arrival ensures Farke is not left short of options at centre-back.
Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Muharemovic will now have another experienced player competing for a starting position, while Ethan Ampadu and James Justin can provide additional cover when required.
And with the paperwork now being finalised and a medical being prepared, there appears to be very little standing in the way of Elvedi officially becoming a Leeds United player.
The deal is done. The medical is next, and Farke is finally getting the defender he knows so well.
Nafisa
