Leeds United are ready to kickstart their summer clear-out, with out-of-favour defender Isaac Schmidt set to secure a move back to Switzerland.
The 26-year-old has endured a highly frustrating period since completing his £2.5million transfer to Elland Road from St. Gallen in the summer of 2024.
Having spent last season on loan in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, his future in West Yorkshire has looked increasingly bleak after failing to start a single league fixture under Daniel Farke.
Now, a definitive update from Swiss newspaper Der Bund has confirmed that the transfer race is practically over. Schmidt is set to join BSC Young Boys, getting a hefty wage off Leeds United’s books.
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Young Boys beat Basel to secure Schmidt
According to Swiss reports, Young Boys have won the domestic battle to sign Schmidt, defeating serious competition from FC Basel.
The Bern-based heavyweights are preparing to reshape their defensive options and view Schmidt as a key tactical solution.
While Basel had registered parallel, concrete interest, Der Bund indicates that Schmidt is set to join Young Boys, where he is primarily earmarked to bolster their right-back options.
With 24-year-old Swiss defender Lewin Blum expected to depart and Ryan Andrews currently sidelined with a knee injury, Schmidt has been promised a clear path to consistent first-team minutes on the right side of the backline.
It remains to be seen if Young Boys will be signing Schmidt from Leeds United permanently or on a loan deal.
Clearing £10k-a-week off the Leeds United books
A return to Switzerland represents the ideal outcome to bring a disappointing Elland Road chapter to an end, particularly from a financial standpoint.
Schmidt managed just 14 senior appearances in all competitions for the Whites, accumulating a mere 251 minutes of action, primarily restricted to cup outings.
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His temporary switch to Werder Bremen was designed to reignite his career, but that did not work out either, with the German club choosing not to take up the option to buy him at the end of the loan.
With Schmidt currently pocketing a base salary of €600,000, which equates to roughly £9,800 a week, Leeds United will be eager to clear his wages from their books to free up room for Farke’s incoming transfer targets.
For the player, securing regular minutes in Bern is a vital stepping stone as he hopes to force his way back into contention for the Switzerland national team.
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