Everything you need to know about Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi amid continued links with Leeds United in the January transfer window.
It’s been a quiet January transfer window for Leeds United so far, with Daniel Farke yet to add any new recruits to his squad.
Joe Gelhardt’s loan switch to Hull City is the only notable piece of business the club has done so far but there is time for that to change in the final weeks of the window.
Though Farke has repeatedly said he is satisfied with his squad, there are a couple of holes that could be plugged to ensure Leeds remain top of the Championship table.
An alternative to the overworked Brenden Aaronson in attacking midfield would be useful, with Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia touted.
Additionally, some more cover at centre-back is on the agenda, especially after the injury to Pascal Struijk.
Nottingham Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele has been heavily linked but one name that just doesn’t go away is Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi.
Here is everything you need to know about him.
- Who is Andrew Omobamidele? Meet the Leeds United transfer target that could solve their Pascal Struijk injury problem
How old is Nico Elvedi?
Nico Elvedi, along with his twin brother and fellow footballer Jan, was born on September 30, 1996, in Zurich, Switzerland.
As of January, 2025, he is 28 years old.
Elvedi height and weight
Elvedi stands at a tall 6’2″ (189cm) tall which helps him dominate in the air and weighs 78kg.
X/Twitter and Instagram accounts
Elvedi has an official Instagram account with nearly 90k followers that you can find @nicoelvedi30.
He does not appear to have an X, formerly Twitter, account.
Nico Elvedi to Leeds United transfer rumours
Elvedi has been a mainstay in the Gladbach defence for nearly a decade after he joined the German club from his boyhood side FC Zurich in 2015.
With well over 300 appearances to his name, only compatriot Yann Sommer has more appearances for Gladbach as a foreigner and he is closing in.
He is still first choice in the heart of their defence to this day but, with just 18 months remaining on his contract, his future with the Bundesliga mainstay’s is coming into question.
It does appear a move this month is unlikely given Leeds have been told to pay £10m to sign Elvedi but other reports claim Farke wants Elvedi ‘now’ amid Struijk’s injury and Max Wober’s continued knee problems.
Gladbach are reportedly looking to offload at least one centre-back to bolster their own transfer coffers and have already agreed a deal to sign a replacement in Kevin Diks from FC Copenhagen in the summer.
The fact Gladbach are bringing in another centre-back boosts Leeds’ chances of signing Elvedi, either in January or the summer.
What Daniel Farke has said about Elvedi
Leeds are being linked with several players who are already well known to Farke, with both Omobamidele and Buendia playing under him at Norwich City.
Elvedi is another such case as the centre-back played 34 times for Farke during his year in charge of Gladbach.
Speaking during his stint, Farke was full of praise for Elvedi: “Nico Elvedi is an absolute leader for us.
“When he is at his best, he is one of the best central defenders in Europe. He has proven that over the years.”
In the opposite direction, Elvedi praised Farke after he took charge of the side. He said: “My first impression of the coach is good.
“I heard from my teammates that the training sessions are supposed to be very tough, and I experienced it for the first time this morning.
“But that’s good too. Training is supposed to be tough, because it’s important that we’re fit for the season and can give it our all for 90 minutes.”
Elvedi stats
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards |
| FC Zurich | 26 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Borussia Monchengladbach | 315 | 17 | 10 | 31 | 1 |
| Switzerland | 56 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 |
Is Elvedi good?
Though he has been a reliable and resolute defender for Gladbach for years, Elvedi’s recent form might be a touch concerning for Leeds.
The Swiss remains a first choice starter when available, though a thigh injury saw him miss six matches this season, but Gladbach have not been secure with him in the side.
They have conceded eight goals in their last two games to Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg and haven’t kept a clean sheet with him in the side since September.
Elvedi’s longevity at a very high level shows his qualities but there may be a reason Gladbach are now willing to sell.
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