Anton Stach is Leeds' sixth signing of the summer, four of whom are 6ft 1in or taller, with head coach Daniel Farke clearly keen to add height and physicality to the squad which won promotion from the Championship last season.

Stach, who has moved to Elland Road from Hoffenheim for £17m, certainly fits the bill, having been one of the Bundesliga's most effective ball-winners in recent years.

In the past two seasons he has registered 120 interceptions, more than any other player in the German top flight, and won possession 393 times, which is the league's third-highest tally. He also ranks fourth for tackles attempted and duels won.

His versatility should also be an asset for Leeds. Though used primarily as a holding midfielder by Hoffenheim, Stach began 2024-25 at centre-back, only switching to a more advanced role in November following the appointment of Christian Ilzer as head coach.

At 6ft 4in tall, Stach is an effective aerial presence in both boxes. With Leeds also recruiting Jaka Bijol and Sebastian Bornauw - both of whom are 6ft 3in - plus 6ft 1in Lukas Nmecha, they will hope to gain a competitive edge next season when it comes to all-important set-pieces.

New signing Anton Stach feels his style will "be good for the Premier League" after completing his £17m move from Hoffenheim to Leeds United.

The 26-year-old midfielder has joined the Whites on a four-year contract, with the deal subject to a number of add-ons.

Stach has spent five years playing in the German top flight and, at 6ft4, brings a commanding presence to both the centre of the pitch and defensively, while also providing a goal threat having scored 26 goals.

He has made over 250 career appearances in all club competitions and also has two caps for Germany.

"I am feeling really good. I am excited to join such a good team, such a good Premier League team, and I am looking forward to the next season," Stach told club media.

"I would say I am an aggressive player. I am good in duels. I am good at anticipating passes from the opponents and it would be good for the Premier League. Now we will see, I will try my best!

"The biggest target is to stay in the league and personally just develop, adapt to the league - to the speed, of course - and then get many good experiences hopefully.

"I am really excited to play at home with the fans because I think the fans are really good here and as well away.

"I want to feel the atmosphere because I heard and I saw so many videos of the fans, the promotion [parade] - over 150,000 people in the city.

"That is awesome. That is crazy when the team has a connection to the city. When you have fans like this, they get you some points as well in the league."

Stach becomes Leeds' sixth signing of the summer, with the Whites having also brought in defenders Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson, as well as forward Lukas Nmecha.