Leeds officially book Zetterer to fill goalkeeping gap

Leeds United are looking to plug a goalkeeping void after the departures of Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow and the expected exit of Lucas Perri, prompting them to secure a Champions League‑experienced keeper.

Goalkeeping void prompts Leeds move

Leeds have agreed a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for 31‑year‑old Michael Zetterer, with a medical already booked. The German made 22 Bundesliga appearances last season, keeping six clean sheets, and started five Champions League games. He is expected to become the understudy to James Trafford.

The Whites have already strengthened the squad this summer, adding Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic, James Trafford and Nico Elvedi after finishing 14th in the Premier League last season. They opened the new campaign with a 1‑0 win over Nottingham Forest in the league and a 2‑0 victory over the same opponents in the EFL Cup. The club remains keen to add depth before the transfer window closes on September 1st.

Leeds’ urgency is heightened by the summer exits of Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow, leaving only James Trafford as the senior goalkeeper. The club also expects Lucas Perri to depart within weeks, further widening the gap between the posts.

Frankfurt will facilitate Zetterer’s move after completing a loan deal for Noah Atubolu, clearing the path for the German keeper to join the Premier League. Leeds have already arranged his travel and scheduled the medical.

Lucas Perri has been given permission to leave and is set to join Serie A side Torino on a season‑long loan with an option to buy next summer. This mirrors Leeds’ broader strategy of reshaping the squad ahead of the new season.

Zetterer’s outlook and related moves

“There’s a very healthy competition for places,” Zetterer said. “Everything has been discussed internally and that’s the way it’ll stay… The decisive factor for me is to perform well out on the pitch, that’s what I can control.”

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra By Daniel Feliciano AM GMT+1 After deciding late that he wanted a career in sports journalism, Daniel worked his way up the ladder in an unconventional manner. Having opted against university, Daniel worked with as a freelance contributor and translator during transfer windows while also volunteering on several other blog pages and outlets to get a portfolio of content together. Daniel then worked with Barnet FC as part of their social media team before starting his own website, which focused on football and MMA content. The experience later led to work with 90min and Reach PLC with The , Daily Record, Daily Express, and Manchester Evening News. Following that, Daniel spent two‑and‑a‑half years with Breaking Media covering Everton, Rangers, Leeds, West Ham and other clubs before joining GiveMeSport as a Premier League editor. As well as football, Daniel is a huge MMA fan and has appeared on YouTube and podcast content too. Add Us Log in.