Hoffenheim chief reveals the two reasons he ‘ultimately’ sanctioned Anton Stach’s move to Leeds United

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Leeds United have announced their sixth signing of the transfer window with the arrival of midfielder Anton Stach on a four-year contract from German side Hoffenheim.

Adam Underwood has now completed his work in defence and midfield. Earlier this summer, Underwood struck deals to sign Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Jaka Bijol to bolster the back line.

Gudmundsson and Bornauw replaced Junior Firpo and Max Wober, while Bijol comes in to start with Joe Rodon, even if Bijol is banned for the first game of 2025-26 against Everton at Elland Road on August 18.

Then, Underwood focused on the midfield. Sean Longstaff arrived after Newcastle finally accepted a bid, a fourth offer from Leeds. Stach signs on a four-year deal worth an initial £17.3m, plus £2.6m in add-ons.

• READ MORE: Anton Stach shares how an honest Daniel Farke convinced him to move to Leeds

Andreas Schicker explains decision to sell Anton Stach to Leeds

Leeds, of course, have done business with Hoffenheim before. The club’s current record signing is the £35m deal that saw Georginio Rutter move to Elland Road from the Bundesliga side back in January 2023.

Now, Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker has explained why he rubber-stamped a deal to take Stach to Leeds. He explains how the player asked to go, and the money on offer was too good to refuse.

“We would have loved to continue working with Anton. But he’s now approached us with the request to leave and join Leeds United in the Premier League. He sees it as his next step in his career,” Schicker said.

“Ultimately, in addition to Anton’s wishes, the attractive overall financial package led us to ultimately approve the transfer. We wish Anton all the best for his future and, of course, much success in England.”

Andreas Schicker admits he would have liked to keep Stach

Clearly, Hoffenheim knew they had to sell the 6ft 4in midfielder but if the scenario was different, they would have liked to have kept him. Schicker heaped praise on the departing Stach, on Hoffenheim’s site.

“Anton is an outstanding footballer who has consistently delivered good performances. He’s also a great person, always putting himself at the service of the team and contributing to our survival last season.”

Leeds are now expected to bring in three new signings after Stach, with focus switching to the need for a new goalkeeper, a left-sided winger and a starting striker that will be above Lukas Nmecha in the order.