One of the unpopular loan exits triggered after Leeds United’s relegation, Robin Koch has enjoyed a solid upturn in form at Eintracht Frankfurt, and is now one of Germany’s most sought-after defenders.
The 49ers will no doubt be hugely relieved that the club are back in the Premier League and can bid farewell to any of the problematic loan clauses present in previously agreed contracts.
Only Jack Harrison remains on the books from that unsavoury period, with those who left on permanent deals since enduring mixed spells elsewhere – but Robin Koch has done superbly since leaving Leeds.
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Robin Koch on Bayer Leverkusen’s radar a year on from Leeds United free transfer exit
Koch’s time at Eintracht Frankfurt has arguably been the best of his career, leaving Leeds on loan and instantly becoming a favourite with the Bundesliga club, donning the captain’s armband despite only being a temporary signing.
Robin Koch’s career post-Leeds United has enjoyed a rebirth since returning to his Bundesliga comfort zone. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He penned a pre-contract agreement to sign permanently in the summer of 2024, meaning Leeds got no transfer fee for the £13million 2020 signing.
Now, his form in Germany has sparked interest from Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen, according to Bild and other outlets.
It is now claimed that Leverkusen aim to trigger Koch’s €20million (£16.8million) release clause to bolster their defence in the wake of Jonathan Tah’s imminent contract expiry.
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Frankfurt has seen two post-Leeds revivals this season with Rasmus Kristensen also enjoying a fine run of form in the top flight after a poor loan at Roma, now a permanent Eintracht signing for £7.7million.
Was Robin Koch the right player at the wrong time for Leeds United?
There were very few players during our relegation season that can hold their heads high with how they performed – Rodrigo and Willy Gnonto virtually the only two.
Koch was part of that abysmal defence that looked like they downed tools every week the moment they got put under any pressure, but now he’s flying.
Either he didn’t want to know at Leeds, or he was surrounded by a poor defence and it dragged his performances down, which isn’t happening now at Eintracht.
There was clearly a talented and competent defender there, as is shown now, but we didn’t see that nearly enough for someone knocking on the door for Germany involvement.