Elvedi makes Leeds switch

Nico Elvedi has completed his move to Leeds United from Borussia Monchengladbach, signing a three-year contract ahead of the club’s Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.

The transfer is reported to be worth £8.5 million (€9.9m), and the Switzerland international says his previous relationship with Leeds head coach Daniel Farke was a major factor in his decision to move to Elland Road.

Elvedi played under Farke at Monchengladbach during the 2022-23 Bundesliga season and said the manager’s influence helped persuade him to reunite with him in England.

“He is also a big point for this change,” Elvedi said. “It was just one year, but I loved to have him as a manager. I learned a lot from him and I will learn a lot now.”

Experienced addition to Leeds defence

The 29-year-old arrives with extensive Bundesliga experience, having made 364 appearances in all competitions for Monchengladbach since joining from Zurich in 2015. During that time, he ranked third among Bundesliga players for interceptions, with 622, and clearances, with 1,547.

Elvedi adds further defensive strength to a Leeds squad that has also recruited Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford. He could make his debut at the City Ground on Saturday.

Although his immediate focus is on helping Leeds on the pitch, Elvedi said he is eager to experience the atmosphere at Elland Road.

“I am very happy to be here, everything is done, and I can’t wait to play for this club,” he said. “It is such a big club with amazing fans and I also can’t wait to play in this stadium with the fans.”

Forest begin new era under Glasner

Nottingham Forest will start their campaign under Oliver Glasner after a turbulent 2025-26 season that saw Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira dismissed. Glasner ended his time at Crystal Palace by guiding the club to Conference League glory in May.

Forest have added four players, including Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, and Glasner expects further movement before the transfer window closes. He said the club had “two or three additions in the pipeline” and praised the impact and experience of the new arrivals.

Forest are forecast to have the edge in the opener, with Opta giving them a 43.4 per cent chance of victory, compared with 30.4 per cent for Leeds and 26.2 per cent for a draw. Forest have won their last four home league matches against Leeds and are unbeaten in their last 14 top-flight meetings with the Whites at the City Ground.

Key players to watch

Nottingham Forest – Morgan Gibbs-White: Gibbs-White produced 19 Premier League goal involvements last season, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists. Only Jarrod Bowen had more among English players. After being left out of England’s World Cup squad, Gibbs-White will be looking to respond on the pitch.

Leeds United – Harry Wilson: The new Leeds signing contributed to 17 Premier League goals last season, with 10 goals and seven assists. His expected-goals return was exceeded by only Antoine Semenyo and Junior Kroupi among the players highlighted.