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Stach won the European Under-21 Championship with Germany in 2021 Leeds United have signed Germany midfielder Anton Stach from Hoffenheim in a deal worth £17m. The 26-year-old, who has two international caps, has joined on a four-year contract. Stach becomes the sixth summer signing for Leeds, who were promoted to the Premier League after winning the Championship last season. He follows Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Lukas Nmecha and Sean Longstaff in joining manager Daniel Farke's squad for the 2025-26 campaign. "I am excited to join such a good team, such a good Premier League team, and I am looking forward to the next season, " said Stach. "My style of play, I would say I am an aggressive player. I am good in duels. I am good at anticipating passes from the opponents and it would be good for the Premier League. Now we will see, I will try my best. " Stach has previously played with compatriot Nmecha as the pair helped Germany win the European Under-21 Championship in 2021. He added: "The biggest target is to stay in the league and personally just develop, adapt to the league, to the speed of course and then get many good experiences hopefully. " Stach left Mainz to join Hoffenheim in 2023 and made 71 appearances for the club in two seasons. He helped them avoid relegation from the Bundesliga last season as Hoffenheim finished 15th. "Anton is an outstanding footballer who has consistently delivered good performances here at Hoffenheim over the past two seasons, " said Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker. "He's also a great person, always putting himself at the service of the team and contributing to our survival last season. " Tom Mc Coy, BBC Sport Four of Leeds' six signing are 6ft 1in or taller, with head coach Daniel Farke clearly keen to add height and physicality to the squad which won promotion from the Championship last season. Stach certainly fits the bill, having been one of the Bundesliga's most effective ball-winners in recent years. In the past two seasons he has registered 120 interceptions, more than any other player in the German top flight, and won possession 393 times, which is the league's third highest tally. He also ranks fourth for tackles attempted and duels won. His versatility should also be an asset for Leeds. Though used primarily as a holding midfielder by Hoffenheim, Stach began 2024-25 at centre-back, only switching to a more advanced role in November following the appointment of Christian Ilzer as head coach. At 6ft 4in tall, Stach is an effective aerial presence in both boxes. With Leeds also recruiting Jaka Bijol and Sebastian Bornauw – both of whom are 6ft 3in – plus 6ft 1in Lukas Nmecha, the Yorkshire club will hope to gain a competitive edge next season when it comes to all-important set-pieces. Bamford 'not part of my plans' - Leeds boss Farke Longstaff joins Leeds from Newcastle in £12m move Latest Leeds United news, analysis and fan views Follow Leeds United in the BBC Sport app Listen to the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Sloppy Lions pegged back by physical First Nations and Pasifika XV Transfer news: Man Utd sign Mbeumo, plus Mosquera, Stach, Rashford updates England aim to solve 'wobbles' in semi-final, and what to expect from Italy Celebrating the greatest final lines in film history Uncovering the dark side of football hooliganism Revealing the secrets of our species The man who said ‘no’ to Walt Disney Are Aston Martin dark horses to sign Verstappen? England aim to solve 'wobbles' in semi-final, and what to expect from Italy 'Rashford's Man Utd exit leaves unanswered questions' 'Historic' football regulator bill becomes law - what it means for fans What made playing with Bumrah unique - Pujara column How Ekitike shows Slot shift towards Klopp tactics 'Toppling Scheffler becomes the next objective for Mc Ilroy' 'Special moment' - Scheffler wins The Open. Video'Special moment' - Scheffler wins The Open 'I feel I'll play well'- Venus Williams ready to roll again at 45 How 'Tiger-like' Scheffler is conquering golf 'He did things-no one could do' - how 2005 Ashes 'reinvented' Flintoff. Video'He did things-no one could do' - how 2005 Ashes 'reinvented' Flintoff 'The genius of modern boxing' - Usyk knocks out Dubois in rematch. Video'The genius of modern boxing' - Usyk knocks out Dubois in rematch An Open to remember - 18 photos from Royal Portrush Brown-Finnis' Euros semi-finals predictions Berger's stunning save prevents extra-time own goal. Video Berger's stunning save prevents extra-time own goal 'We felt like Premier League footballers' - Jones relives 2005 Ashes The race for a striker is hotting up - who is still available? Diogo Jota: A tribute. Video Diogo Jota: A tribute Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
