Having decided against playing in the Championship after Leeds United were relegated last season, Robin Koch started looking for an exit opportunity.
A number of clubs were interested in the Elland Road star, including some in the Premier League, but when Eintracht Frankfurt came forward, the German centre-back only had one destination in mind.
In the end, a €500k loan was arranged, with the Bundesliga side planning on signing him on a free in January; a move his father, Harry Koch, is very happy about, as he spoke to Sport Bild on Friday.
A former centre-back himself, the 53-year-old had a chat with the German newspaper about the Leeds loanee and his decision to return to Germany.
He said: “Of course, as a father and mother, you are happy that you only have to drive an hour to the game and your son is closer again. We were also happy to come to him in Leeds. It’s just a bit further to get there. It’s nice to have him back.”
Koch has made it clear that he decided to leave Leeds for Eintracht because he wanted to be more in the eye of Hansi Flick, the current Germany national team manager, and his father believes everything he learned in England will be beneficial in the long-run.
He added: “The three years in Leeds helped him a lot, he matured in England. Dealing with the cleverness and toughness there is a big challenge. England is the best league in the world. You play against world-class strikers every week. He proved himself there and he can be proud of that.”
