Leeds United transfer latest: International defender finally leaves club as exit confirmed
LEEDS UNITED have confirmed that defender Max Wöber has left by mutual consent after a fraught four-and-a-half year spell at the club.
The Austrian international - whose deal at Elland Road was due to expire next summer - has now linked up with Bundesliga outfit Schalke on a free transfer.
Wöber, 28, moved to Leeds on a four-and-a-half year contract from Red Bull Salzburg in the 2022-23 winter window in a £10m deal.
Wöber triggered an exit clause following relegation at the end of that season and spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at German top-flight outfit in Borussia Monchengladbach before returning to the United fold.
The defender, who can operate at centre-half and left-back, struggled with injury in 2024-25, twice undergoing knee surgery after picking up the issue on international duty last September. He made just nine appearances in all competitions for Leeds in that season.
Laat summer, Wöber returned to the Bundesliga after joining Werder Bremen on loan for the 2025-26 campaign.
Speaking in June 2025 while on international business with Austria, Wöber told reports that his days at Elland Road were effectively numbered.
Speculation had suggested that United would elect to sell Wöber in the 2025 summer window, but the club - mindful of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) regarding player amortization - viewed a loan move as more beneficial.
Twelve months on and the situation has changed.
Wöber played just three games last term for Bremen, who opted against triggering a permanent option in his loan deal.
A Leeds statement read: "Leeds United can confirm defender Max Wöber has left the club after the two parties agreed to mutually terminate his contract.
"The Austrian joined the Whites in 2023 from RB Salzburg and featured 19 times in his debut season across all competitions.
"Wöber made eight league appearances for the club in the Sky Bet Championship title winning campaign of 2024/25, scoring one goal, before joining Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on loan last term.
"Max now departs Elland Road on a permanent basis and we wish him well for the future."