Leeds United Strike Deal With Bundesliga Side For This Midfield Maestro: Another Top Recruit For The Whites? | OneFootball

In one of his latest posts, Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has shared an exciting update for Leeds United fans. After weeks of reports and rumours, the Whites have finally struck a deal worth €20m plus add-ons with the Bundesliga outfit TSG Hoffenheim for their midfield ace Anton Stach.

The 26-year-old Mannschaft international spent his academy years with Buchholzer FC, Werder Bremen, JFV Nordwest, and VfL Osnabrück. He then joined SSV Jeddeloh in the fourth tier of German football, but left for Wolfsburg a year later. Having featured for their reserves over the next two campaigns, Stach was roped in by the second-tier side Greuther Fürth in July 2020.

He flourished for Cloverleaves in the centre of the pitch and was pivotal to their top-flight promotion with 30 league appearances. Mainz snapped him up for €4.5m a year later, and after two impressive seasons at MEWA Arena, Stach completed a €11m transfer to Hoffenheim in the summer of 2023.

SINSHEIM, GERMANY – MAY 17: Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich is challenged by Anton Stach of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Bayern München at PreZero-Arena on May 17, 2025 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The midfield maestro maintained his mastery for Die Kraichgauer, as he made his presence known week in and week out. Not only as a deep-lying playmaker, but he also showed his maturity and composure as a right-sided centre-back in Pellegrino Matarazzo’s ‘back three’ setup. Christian Ilzer restored Stach to his preferred ‘number six’ slot following Matarazzo’s dismissal, and Daniel Farke, too, should deploy him in the middle of the park.

Why Stach Must Partner With Longstaff In Leeds United Midfield

Leeds United conquered the Championship silverware en route to reclaiming their Premier League status. Farke maintained his exquisite promotion record, having done so with Norwich City twice before. But he must find a way to avoid an immediate relegation, unlike his tenure in Norfolk.

The gaffer used his contacts and connections in Germany to tie down Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev for their promotion push. Ethan Ampadu could be deployed flexibly both in defence and midfield, yet the German chief must opt for players with top-flight experience to attune to the grind, demand and aggression of English football.

Despite prolonged negotiations, the Yorkshire giants have finally secured the services of Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United. The Englishman would offer pace and box-to-box mobility. However, the physicality, concentration, interception and tackling traits of Stach down the deep areas should allow him space to carry the ball forward and exhibit his creative spark in the advanced areas. They are expected to pair up as the ‘double pivot’ in Farke’s 4-2-3-1 formation, and their versatility and expertise might bring the glory days back at Elland Road.