Leeds sign Red Bull Salzburg defender Max Wober on four and-a-half year deal

Leeds United have completed their first signing of the January transfer window after confirming the arrival of Red Bull Salzburg centre-back Max Wober.

The Austrian international has joined for a fee believed to be in the region of £10million, that could rise to £14m including add-ons. He has been handed the No 39 shirt.

He is still waiting for his work permit, but could make his debut for his new club when they face Cardiff City in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. 

Max Wober has put pen to paper on a four and-a-half year deal at Leeds United

The 24-year-old becomes Leeds’ first signing of the January transfer window

Wober is a player that Jesse Marsch is very familiar after the pair worked together at Red Bull Salzburg between 2019 and 2021.

The 24-year-old has experience playing across Europe having enjoyed spells at Ajax and Sevilla in the early stages of his career.

This will be his first time in England, though, and Marsch will be hoping he can settle quickly to tighten up Leeds’ backline.

Wober will wear the No 39 shirt, and could make his Leeds debut in the FA Cup on Sunday

Only four teams have conceded more goals than Leeds in the Premier League this term, highlighting how the side’s defence needs to improve in the second half of the campaign.

The team took a step in the right direction when they kept a clean sheet in a hard-earned 0-0 draw at Newcastle on New Year’s Eve, but that was only the third time that they have prevented their opponents from scoring this season.

Wober will not have his work permit in time to face West Ham on Wednesday, but could make his Premier League bow when Leeds travel to Aston Villa on January 13.