Maximilian Wöber moves from Leeds United to FC Schalke 04

Free transfer from Leeds to Gelsenkirchen

Wöber is currently still under contract with English Premier League club Leeds United. "Das Arbeitspapier in England soll den Berichten zufolge aufgelöst werden, sodass Wöber als vertragsloser Spieler zu Schalke wechselt." In Leeds, he still has a remaining contract period of one year.

In the past season, Wöber was loaned to Bundesliga club SV Werder Bremen. "Vor seinem Wechsel zu Leeds United spielte der Abwehrspieler auch für Borussia Mönchengladbach." At Werder, however, he played only three matches for the senior squad due to a thigh injury. "Die WM in den USA, Mexiko und Kanada verpasste er verletzungsbedingt."

Loan spell at Bremen blighted by injury

At 28 years old, Wöber brings plenty of experience to the Schalke squad. "Der 28-Jährige" has already made 24 Premier League appearances for Leeds and is thus at least nominally part of the extended circle of European central defenders with top-flight experience in two top leagues.

Wöber has earned 31 caps for the Austrian national team. He thus belongs to the established players in the ÖFB squad and brings the necessary robustness for the defensive centre.

At Schalke 04, he will meet his compatriot and head coach Miron Muslic, who has been coaching the Gelsenkirchen side since last summer. With Wöber, Junior Adamu and Dejan Ljubicic, three Austrians would then belong to the professional squad of the Knappen.

ÖFB axis at Schalke

Wöber is already at Schalke's training camp in the Austrian Stubaital and completed his medical check on Wednesday morning in Innsbruck. On Friday, he was already training with the squad. However, according to Sky, a final agreement between the clubs is still pending.

The move is also notable because Schalke 04 has only just been promoted from the 2. Bundesliga. "Bundesliga-Aufsteiger Schalke 04" has to strengthen the squad accordingly for the higher division, and Wöber would be one of the first notable new signings for the upcoming season.

Promotion side bolsters squad

With the signing of the 28-year-old Viennese, Schalke 04 continues its policy of specifically bringing in Austrian players. The Muslic – Adamu – Ljubicic – Wöber axis is intended to stabilise the new beginning in the Bundesliga.