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News
- 57 minutes ago
Leeds are about to make the smartest signing of January
Tom Weber
- 31 Dec 2025 18:03 GMT
- 5 min read
Analysis
Leeds United are interested in signing Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi, and it could very well be the shrewdest transfer of the January window.
The promoted Premier League outfit have acquired several players from Daniel Farke's native Germany since his arrival. Given the success of some of these signings, this trend is showing no signs of slowing down.
Ao Tanaka, signed from Fortuna Dusseldorf, is a brilliant midfielder on his day, while Anton Stach has been nothing short of sensational at Elland Road since joining from Hoffenheim in the summer.
Compared
Ao Tanaka
M, DM (C)
Leeds United
Ao Tanaka
M, DM (C)
Leeds United
VS
Anton Stach
DM, M (C)
Leeds United
Anton Stach
DM, M (C)
Leeds United
|
|
ETV |
|
| €11.6M - €14.2M | ETV Range | €15.5M - €18.9M |
| 27 years old (10 Sep, 1998) | Age | 27 years old (15 Nov, 1998) |
|
Japan
|
Nationality |
Germany
|
Brenden Aaronson, although not signed from Germany, has managed to salvage his Leeds career since returning from a loan spell at Union Berlin, and it is from the Eastern edge of Berlin where Leeds' next signing could potentially hail from.
Sky Sports reports that Leeds are showing an interest in signing Union defender Danilho Doekhi, who could be available for a cut price due to his expiring contract.
Leeds need to sign Doekhi
The interest in Doekhi is driven by Joe Rodon's recent injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. Sebastiaan Bornauw, another signing from Germany, could step into the breach, but he has barely played this term.
Doekhi would represent an affordable plug-and-play solution with massive upside. The Netherlands international has been a brilliant servant to Union and is in the midst of a great season.
The 27-year-old was sensational when he first arrived in Berlin, playing a massive role in Union's shock qualification for the Champions League in 2023. The Bundesliga minnows struggled to replicate this form in the following seasons, which also impacted Doekhi's performances.
However, this term, the centre-back has been at the peak of his powers again. Both defensively and offensively, Doekhi has made an impact. He has already scored four goals due to his aerial presence on set-pieces.
According to Fbref, he is in the 97th percentile for aerials won in Europe's top five leagues. Data analytics firm SciSports believes that Doekhi would be a ready-made reinforcement for Leeds.
In terms of ability, SciSports ranks him in the same ballpark as Leeds' current starters Pascal Struijk, Jaka Bijol and Rodon. His physical playing style is perfectly suited to the approach that has worked so well this season.
Union director Horst Heldt has already admitted that he may be forced to cash in on Doekhi or his centre-back partner Diogo Leite this winter. Both are out of contract and have no intention to extend.
Financially, a club like Union can't afford to lose two key players for nothing, so they will have to listen to bids, putting Leeds in a strong position to snap up Doekhi. He would not be a flashy arrival, but he would be perfect for the Elland Road side and would come for a bargain fee as well.
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