Leeds United have completed the signing of Anton Stach from Hoffenheim, but what squad number will he wear at Elland Road?
It’s been a busy summer transfer window for Leeds United, with Anton Stach becoming the sixth arrival on Tuesday morning.
Leeds have agreed to pay £19.9m in total for Stach, with an initial fee of £17.3m before additional bonuses.
Daniel Farke has been focusing on improving the height, physicality and experience of his squad for the Premier League, all things the 26-year-old, 6’4″ Bundesliga veteran has in spades.
Stach has linked up with his new teammates during their pre-season training camp in his native Germany, and could make his first appearance for the club in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday.
Fans will have to wait until the friendly against Villarreal at Elland Road on August 2 to see Stach in action, though they have already seen the other five signings.
Jaka Bijol, Lukas Nmecha, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Sebastiaan Bornauw all made their debuts in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
As a result, Leeds’ new signings have been assigned squad numbers, with five coveted digits now unavailable.
Here’s the numbers left for Stach to choose from.
- Who is Anton Stach? Meet the giant German who will help Leeds United grow in the Premier League
What squad number could Anton Stach pick at Leeds United?
Five of Leeds’ available numbers have now been taken by the new arrivals, while Jack Harrison has seemingly been given the new number of 38 upon his return from Everton.
The No.8 would have been an obvious pick for Stach, but that has been claimed by his fellow midfielder Longstaff.
New Leeds United squad numbers:
- Gabriel Gudmundsson: 3
- Sean Longstaff: 8
- Lukas Nmecha: 14
- Jaka Bijol: 15
- Sebastiaan Bornauw: 23
- Jack Harrison: 38
That means there are no shirt numbers under No.11 up for grabs and fewer options for Stach, and any other new signings, to choose from.
Here are the numbers still available:
12
The No.12 has been available since Jaidon Anthony’s loan spell came to an end in 2024.
It has had a lot of holders in Leeds’ history, with recent occupiers including Tyler Adams, Marco Silvestri and Gaetano Berardi.
13
No.13 is usually worn by goalkeepers at Elland Road, typically backup ones at that.
Only Mike Grella broke that trend, with former goalkeepers Kristoffer Klaesson, Kiko Casilla, Will Huffer, Felix Wiedwald and Stuart Taylor wearing it after him.
16
Surely the obvious choice of the numbers available, Stach wore No.16 during his two seasons at Hoffenheim and it suits a combative midfielder.
Fittingly, the likes of Sonny Perkins, Yosuke Ideguchi and Bradley Johnson have also had it.
20
Previously worn by Dan James, No.20 has been free since the Welshman swapped it for No.7 in 2024.
Rodrigo Moreno, Tom Pearce, Davis Norris, Matt Smith and Ross Barkley have all donned it as well.
24
Another strong candidate for Stach’s choice is No.24. The towering midfielder has worn the shirt for three different clubs, Jeddeloh II, Wolfsburg II and Greuther Furth.
He may opt to wear it again and follow in the footsteps of Georginio Rutter, Leif Davis and Hadi Sacko.
27
No.27 hasn’t got a good recent history at Leeds, with its last wearers including Ian Poveda, Amari Miller and Modou Barrow.
Maybe Stach could raise its prestige if he picks it.
28
Fellow defensive midfielders Weston McKennie and Fabian Delph have worn No.28 at Leeds, as did Max Gradel for a season.
Karl Darlow, who recently helped in signing Longstaff, wore it last but swapped for No.26 last year.
There are also numbers above 30 available, though not including 33, 44, 45 and 50.
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