Leeds United are targeting a defender who has been compared to Virgil van Dijk
Kasra Moradi Senior Sports Journalist
05:00, 30 Apr 2026
Danilho Doekhi of Union Berlin
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Danilho Doekhi of Union Berlin has been linked with Leeds(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Brenden Aaronson could persuade his former Union Berlin team-mate Danilho Doekhi to join Leeds United on a free transfer this summer.
It was reported by Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday that Leeds are interested in signing the 27-year-old centre-back from Union this summer. The Whites were keen to land him in the January transfer window, and Daniel Farke is still keen to bolster his defensive options at Elland Road next season.
Doekhi is set to leave Union on a free transfer once his contract expires this summer, with Leeds reportedly looking to beat Borussia Dortmund and several Saudi Arabian clubs to his signature.
Danilho Doekhi of Union and Christian Eriksen of Wolfsburg compete for the ball during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and VfL Wolfsburg at Stadion An der Alten Foersterei on April 18, 2026 in Berlin, Germany.
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Doekhi has been compared to Virgil van Dijk in the past(Image: Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images)
The Dutchman, who stands at an impressive 6ft 3in, has played over 3,000 minutes of football for the Bundesliga outfit, helping to steer them clear of the relegation zone. Though he remains uncapped for the Netherlands, Doekhi has not missed a single minute of Bundesliga action for two seasons in a row.
Should Leeds look to continue their pursuit, Doekhi already has an acquaintance at the club, too. Leeds star Aaronson spent the 2023/24 season on loan with Union Berlin, meaning he could potentially put in a word with his former team-mate in an effort to convince him to join.
Doekhi’s power, reliability and impressive tackling have even drawn comparisons to his compatriot Virgil van Dijk in the past. The official Bundesliga website in 2023 described him as an "ultra calm" presence on the ball, much like the legendary Liverpool defender.
Newcastle United v Leeds United - Premier League
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Leeds' Brenden Aaronson played with the defender in Germany(Image: Getty)
They highlighted his imposing defending as a standout trait, able to go from timing tackles to perfection to showing off his range of passing in the same passage of play. Doekhi rose through the Netherlands youth set-ups as a teenager.
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He debuted for the Dutch U18s in 2015 and made the last of his five U21 appearances in a 5-0 European Championship qualifying win against Belarus in November 2020. He also possesses Champions League experience, making his debut against Real Madrid.
The Leeds faithful will hope he can have even a fraction of Van Dijk’s impact at Liverpool if the club manage to sign him this summer.
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