Leeds United unveil first signing of the summer as Whites fight off competition to land Lukas Nmecha
Leeds United have confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window with the acquisition of experienced attacker Lukas Nmecha, marking a significant step forward in their preparations for the upcoming Premier League season. The 26-year-old forward will officially join the Whites on July 1, once his current contract with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg comes to an end.
Leeds successfully fended off competition from several Premier League rivals to secure Nmecha’s signature, highlighting the ambition of the club as they return to the top flight under manager Daniel Farke. The forward arrives on a free transfer and has signed an initial two-year contract, which could be extended depending on performance and club discretion.
Nmecha is no stranger to English football. Born in Hamburg, Germany, the versatile frontman came through the prestigious Manchester City academy and made his senior debut for the Citizens in 2018. He featured three times for the first team, including making a brief Premier League appearance under Pep Guardiola, before embarking on a series of loan moves to gain experience and first-team minutes.
His football journey has seen him take in spells at Preston North End, Middlesbrough, and Anderlecht, before making a permanent move to Wolfsburg in 2021, following an earlier loan stint with the German club in the 2019/20 season. During his time at Wolfsburg, Nmecha racked up 73 appearances, finding the net 19 times. Last season, he scored three goals in 20 matches, despite struggling with injuries and squad rotation.
On the international scene, Nmecha’s career has been unique. Eligible to represent both Germany and England, he initially represented the Three Lions at youth level, even winning the UEFA Under-19 European Championship with England in 2017. However, he later switched allegiance to Germany and played a key role in their Under-21 European Championship triumph in 2021. He has since gone on to earn seven senior international caps for Die Mannschaft.
Standing at six feet tall, Nmecha brings a strong physical presence to Leeds’ frontline and is comfortable playing as a central striker or out wide in a more versatile attacking role. He is known for his aerial ability, link-up play, and intelligent movement in the final third. In addition, he gained valuable experience in European competition, scoring twice in five appearances during Wolfsburg’s 2021/22 UEFA Champions League campaign.
Across all senior club competitions, Nmecha has accumulated a total of 43 goals, and Leeds will be hoping he can bring that attacking pedigree to Elland Road as they aim to establish themselves in the Premier League and avoid a return to the Championship.
Sources within the club suggest that Nmecha’s signing is only the beginning of a busy transfer window. Leeds are keen to strengthen multiple areas of the squad, with particular attention on bolstering their attacking options.
Additionally, progress is being made on a potential move for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol. The Slovenian international has reportedly given his approval for the switch, and club officials remain optimistic about finalising the transfer in the coming days. Bijol’s arrival would further underline Leeds United’s intent to build a well-rounded and competitive squad capable of staying in the Premier League for the long term.
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