Leeds United have signed defensive midfielder Anton Stach from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.
The 6ft 4in German international has agreed a four-year deal and becomes the club’s sixth addition of the summer, following Sean Longstaff, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
“First of all, I am feeling really good," 26-year-old Stach told the official club website. "I am excited to join such a good team, such a good Premier League team, and I am looking forward to the next season."
Describing the attributes Stach feels he can bring to Daniel Farke's side, he added: “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’s career so far
Born in Buchholz, Germany, on 15 November 1998, Stach began his development with Buchholzer FC, before joining Werder Bremen.
He spent four years at Werder Bremen before multiple moves took him to German clubs Nordwest, Osnabruck and then SSV Jedeloh, where he would earn a transfer to VFL Wolfsburg II.
In 2018/19, Stach would feature 20 times for Wolfsburg’s reserves, as they went on to become German Regionalliga North Champions.
Stach then moved to Greuther Furth in the 2020/21 season, eventually winning the Under-21 UEFA European Championship with Germany, and now team-mate Nmecha.
Mainz came calling and Stach would finally make his Bundesliga debut in the 2021/22 season. He made 68 appearances for Mainz across all competitions and earned two senior caps for Germany.
Two seasons passed before he was on the move again, this time to Hoffenheim. In 2024/25, the midfielder played 30 league matches and featured in six UEFA Europa league group stage matches, where his only goal of the competition came against eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur in a 3-2 defeat.
In total, Stach made 122 Bundesliga appearances, netting five times and setting up 16 goals.
When can Stach make his debut for Leeds?
Leeds fans could see their latest signing in pre-season action at Elland Road on 2 August when they host Spanish side Villareal.
Farke's side begin their Premier League campaign at home to Everton on 18 August.