Leeds bring in Salzburg defender Wöber in the Premier League
After three and a half years at Red Bull Salzburg, Maximilian Wöber is moving abroad again. The defender is hired by Leeds United in the English Premier League, where coach Jesse Marsch, a former coach of the native of Vienna, works.
Maximilian Wöber is moving from Salzburg to Leeds.
FC Red Bull Salzburg via Getty Images
With the Daouda Guindo’s return campaign cap Salzburg Already made provisions on the first day of the new year, now Austria’s series champion announces the expected departure: Maximilian Wöber is moving to Leeds United in the English Premier League after three and a half years in the “bull stable”. There, the 24-year-old received a contract until the summer of 2027.
An amount of around 20 million euros is rumored in the media as the transfer fee. This would make Wöber one of the fifth most expensive Austrian players in history. Topping the list is Marko Arnautovic, who joined West Ham from Stoke City in 2017 for around €25m.
“We brought Max to Salzburg three and a half years ago and during this time he has more than fulfilled all the expectations placed in him as a very important leader and personality – both on and off the pitch – and played a significant role in our extraordinary successes. Now the opportunity opened up for him to fulfill his dream of playing in the Premier League and we have now found a good solution for everyone. Max is now going to the best league in the world as a ‘real Salzburger’ and we wish him all the best from the bottom of my heart, good health and success,” said sporting director Christoph Freund about the transfer.
Wöber on Leeds United: Reunion with old friends
For Wöber, Leeds is his third stop abroad after moving from Rapid to Ajax Amsterdam in 2017 and from there to Sevilla FC a year and a half later. At the current 14th in the Premier League, Wöber will meet a few old acquaintances, most notably coach Jesse Marsch. The Viennese drove together with the American during his first two years in Salzburg before the coach followed the call from Leipzig. In addition, ex-Salzburg players Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson have been under contract with Leeds since last summer. Franz Schiemer also works in management for the English team, while René Maric is one of head coach Marsch’s assistants.
“Even if it wasn’t an easy decision, I have to announce my departure from Salzburg today. The last three and a half years in this city and with this club have shaped me a lot, both as a player and as a person. The countless highlights I’ve had on and next to the pitch is something I will remember for the rest of my life”, Wöber, who will also wear shirt number 39 in Leeds. “Thank you very much for these great moments together, Salzburg has grown very dear to me and has become my second home.”