St. Gallen’s parting message to Isaac Schmidt as Leeds United finally announce defender’s arrival

Add as preferred source on Google

It took until the last 30 minutes of the transfer window but Leeds United have finally announced the signing of defender Isaac Schmidt on a four-year deal.

The 24-year-old is the club’s eighth summer signing and arrives to provide some much-needed depth and competition on both sides of the defence. Schmidt is believed to have cost Leeds around £4.6m.

The Switzerland U20 star is the club’s second arrival on deadline day after Leeds announced the addition of Ao Tanaka. The Japan star joins from Dusseldorf for a fee of £3.4m, also signing a contract until 2028.

Schmidt only arrived in Yorkshire this morning but Leeds eventually managed to get a deal done, after Schmidt chose to play for St. Gallen on Thursday in the Europa Conference League against Trabzonspor.

• READ MORE: Tanaka’s shirt number with the midfielder available to face Hull City

St. Gallen’s parting message to Schmidt on Instagram

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg against the SuperLig outfit, St. Gallen progressed on penalties in the second leg despite being away from home. Schmidt scored but the game finishing 1-1 on the night.

Immediately after helping his side reach the next round of the Conference League, Schmidt jumped on a plane to Yorkshire to agree a deal that sees Leeds pay an initial £2.5m, but could reach as much as £4.6m.

St. Gallen tonight have posted on Instagram a farewell message to Schmidt, thanking him for his three years of service in Switzerland in which he clocked up 108 appearances, having a hand in 17 goals.

It said: “Isaac Schmidt left us a farewell gift with his goal against Trabzonspor. The 24-year-old is moving to Leeds United. #THANK YOU for your hard work, Isaac! Good luck with the new challenge!”

What Schmidt’s teammates did after win over Trabzonspor

Clearly, Schmidt was a well-liked member at St. Gallen. After his goal, progression into the next round and clearly with the knowledge it would be his last game, Schmidt’s teammates paraded him in front of fans.

Now, he embarks on a new stage in his career at Leeds. Schmidt will wear the no.33 shirt at Elland Road, a jersey which Connor Roberts wore last season before the right-back returned to Burnley after his loan.

Unlike Tanaka however, Schmidt will not be available for selection against Hull City on Saturday as EFL rules dictate a player must be registered before midday the day before a game.