Borussia Monchengladbach director of football Rouven Schröder has admitted Nico Elvedi’s move to Leeds United this week hurt.
Rheinische Post report comments from the director of football today after the 29-year-old completed his move to Elland Road.
Leeds transfer hurts
Leeds and Borussia both announced the deal for the Switzerland defender on Wednesday after a summer of reports linking him with a move to Elland Road.
The switch has brought an end to an 11-year association with the German club for the defender. He originally joined them in a €4m deal in 2015 and went on to make 364 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga side in that period.
He had regularly been linked with a move away over the years. Indeed, he was close to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers at one point. And Rheinische Post report that he had made it clear that he was ready to move on this summer too.
That, then, means Monchengladbach were almost prepared for the separation this summer. But Rouven Schröder admits it still hurt him, echoing the words of his manager.
“You have to be careful with the word, but Nico Elvedi is a true Borussia legend!” he said.
“Eleven years at the club, 364 competitive matches, always a key performer and a leader who didn’t need many words. A loss like this hurts—both in sporting and personal terms.
Elvedi wanted the move
He confirmed that it was Nico Elvedi’s express wish to make the move to Leeds this summer, where he reunites with former manager Daniel Farke.
He’ll also link up with Switzerland teammate Noah Okafor.
“It was Nico’s express wish to seek a new challenge at this stage of his career,” explained Schröder.
“With a player of his standing – who has always conducted himself in an exemplary manner regarding this matter – respect dictates that we honor this wish, provided the financial terms are right. That scenario has now come to pass.”
