Leeds United defender Isaac Schmidt has outlined his desire to lay down roots at Werder Bremen.
The 25-year-old was recruited by the Whites last year, making the move to West Yorkshire from St. Gallen in his native Switzerland.
After just 14 appearances under manager Daniel Farke, Schmidt was allowed to join Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen on loan last month.
Isaac Schmidt struggled for minutes after joining Leeds United in the summer of 2024.placeholder image
Isaac Schmidt struggled for minutes after joining Leeds United in the summer of 2024. | George Wood/Getty Images
Isaac Schmidt admission
The reported inclusion of a buy option in the deal suggested his Leeds days may be numbered, something Schmidt himself has now conceded.
In an interview with BILD, he said: “I'm looking for an apartment, I want to settle down here. I've only just arrived, but my goal is to stay."
Werder Bremen could well want to keep Schmidt too, with the Switzerland international having hit the ground running with a goal on his debut.
Isaac Schmidt struggled in Leeds United's pre-season friendly clash with AC Milan in Dublin last month.placeholder image
Isaac Schmidt struggled in Leeds United's pre-season friendly clash with AC Milan in Dublin last month. | PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images
Isaac Schmidt’s Werder Bremen connection
Schmidt also lifted the lid on his connection with his new club, which was forged by use of the club on an old PlayStation game.
The versatile full-back said: “It's funny. It comes from the PlayStation. When I was 12 or 13, I played with a friend, and he was always Werder because of Arnautovic and a Turkish player. We always played with Werder. And since I was too...”
The move has also reunited him with his compatriot and former Lausanne-Sport teammate Cameron Puertas.
Leeds United's Isaac Schmidt marked his Werder Bremen debut with a goal.placeholder image
Leeds United's Isaac Schmidt marked his Werder Bremen debut with a goal. | Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
Schmidt said: “We're in the same circle of friends and have always kept in touch. It's wonderful to see each other again here."
England-capped James Justin, who can play at right-back or left-back, was prised from Leicester City for a reported £8m plus £2m in add-ons.