Leeds sign goalkeeper Zetterer as Perri joins Torinopublished at 21:34 BST
21:34 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United have signed goalkeeper Michael Zetterer from Eintracht Frankfurt on a three-year deal after Lucas Perri joined Serie A side Torino on a season-long loan.
Zetterer, 31, played the majority of Frankfurt's matches in 2025-26 after injury to their first-choice keeper Kaua Santos, and moves to Elland Road as back-up to James Trafford.
Joining for an undisclosed fee, he becomes the Whites' fifth signing of the transfer window after the arrivals of Trafford, midfielder Harry Wilson and defenders Tarik Muharemovic and Nico Elvedi.
"I feel very happy to be here now," Zetterer said. "Leeds showed me everything. It was good conversations with everybody, so I'm very happy."
Perri, 28, made 16 appearances in the Premier League last season after joining Leeds last summer.
The loan deal with Torino includes an option to buy.
Leeds v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:58 BST
12:58 BST
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Elland Road will be abuzz with anticipation as Leeds United host Brentford on Sunday (14:00 BST) in a showdown between two sides that have had excellent starts to the new campaign.
Leeds won their opening two fixtures – both at Nottingham Forest, in the Premier League (1-0) and then the Carabao Cup (2-0) – adding further momentum to some summer transfers that have got pulses racing in West Yorkshire.
Brentford also have two wins from two, albeit they have earned their victories in more spectacular style. They smashed Tottenham 3-0 in their Premier League opener before running riot at Birmingham City in the EFL Cup to win 6-1.
In-form duo set for engaging duel
Last season, both Leeds and Brentford enjoyed fine campaigns, with their physical play vital to their success. So unsurprisingly, in the opening weekend of the season, the two teams to win the most duels were Leeds with 66 and Brentford with 62.
Although Brentford, in ninth, finished ahead of Leeds, who were 14th, last term, since December there has not been much between the two teams at all.
Since the start of December 2025, only five teams have won more points in the Premier League than the 39 accrued by Leeds United, while only three sides have won more points on home soil than the Whites in that time, with 24. Brentford have amassed a total of 37 points in the same time frame.
After two away games to start the season, there will be an eagerness among the Leeds fans to get their campaign up and running on home soil, especially with some new faces among a bolstered squad.
New goalkeeper James Trafford, who arrived in a £45m transfer from Manchester City, has impressed with two clean sheets. He has made five saves across his first two matches, while Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, a £34m arrival from Sassuolo, has also won supporters over quickly.
Harry Wilson also made the move to Leeds this summer, and he won't mind the sight of Brentford's red and white stripes on Sunday. There is no club he has scored against more often than the Bees, with four goals in the Premier League.
Brilliant Bees off to a flier
Even if Wilson were to net, Brentford would still fancy their chances of outgunning Leeds given their start to the campaign.
Keith Andrews' side should have won by more in their 3-0 victory over Spurs – Igor Thiago missed a penalty in that encounter – while against Birmingham, their Premier League class was clear as they rattled in six.
In what have been two very different types of tests so far, Brentford have been completely dominant.
The positive intent throughout the side was summed up by the fact that seven players had shots against Spurs. They also compiled an xG of 3.96 on the day, their most in a Premier League game since January 2025 against Southampton.
The win also allowed Brentford to show off their multidimensional attacking threat. In the build-up to their first goal, the Bees put together 15 passes, while they also had more shots from set pieces, with 14, than any other team in the division.
Farke on Gruev, transfers and 'unstoppable bulldozer' Brentfordpublished at 19:24 BST 28 August
19:24 BST 28 August
Sophie Trifonoff BBC Sport journalist
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brentford at Elland Road (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On the injuries in the squad, Farke said: "It's [Ilia] Gruev's second week training with the team so he's edging closer and closer. Also some good news was Gudmundsson and Gnonto - as it stands they will join us this afternoon [in training] for the first time after their injuries. We have to wait to see how their bodies reacts. Obviously, we just have two days but definitely good news."
On the likelihood of Gruev playing on Sunday, he said: "He has missed more or less four months without playing a game so we have to make a decision. Physically, he is edging closer and closer. He also looks good on the training pitch. If I need him, I would have no problems to call him to the squad. We have now, thank god, a situation where we don't have to rush Ilia."
On the club's transfer window so far, he said: "We are in a good position. Very pleased with our window so far. We will stay aware because the feeling is that we want to do something more. We're definitely in a good place. I like our window so far and all our signings are spot on. Early signs are great but we have a long season."
On the goalkeeping situation, he confirmed Lucas Perri is nearing a loan exit, which was reported earlier on this page, with Leeds set to bring in Michael Zetterer from Eintracht Frankfurt. Farke said: "It's correct that we have allowed Lucas Perri to travel and it's correct that we're pretty close to bringing someone in, but I only want to speak about this once it has been confirmed."
The Leeds boss also said he was "cautiously optimistic" of further new arrivals before the transfer window closes next Tuesday.
On the options for the number nine role, Farke said Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have a "pretty similar" profile but on his options he said he is "happy with this".
Farke described Sunday's opponents Brentford as the "standout" team of the season and "an unstoppable bulldozer". He added that his side will have to be at their very best to get three points.
Calvert-Lewin wants Wilson dynamic to 'click' quicklypublished at 16:14 BST 28 August
16:14 BST 28 August
Media caption,
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is excited about forging a partnership with summer signing Harry Wilson.
"We've definitely strengthened the squad with some good recruits," the former Everton forward said. "The new boys that have come in have settled in really well, really quickly and I think that is credit to the group that we've got and the culture that we've built here and they seem to be doing really well so far and, you know, long may continue, we're excited."
When asked by BBC Radio Leeds about working with Welsh international Wilson, 29-year-old Calvert-Lewin replied: "I think he brings Premier League experience, a very good left foot, delivery and he brings quality further up the pitch.
"He's someone that likes to get on the ball and get the ball onto his left foot so for me it's a different dynamic, something that I've got to get used to also and he's got to get used to my game but we're fast learners and hopefully we do it in a short space of time.
"He's someone that got a lot of goals last year. He got himself into double figures, so he likes to get himself in the box and also contribute with goals and assists, which is great for the team and like I said before, it's important that we learn each other's game quickly and where each other likes to be and it'll click."
🎧 Transfers latest and Brentford previewpublished at 12:00 BST 28 August
12:00 BST 28 August
A fresh episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.
The Whites return to Elland Road as they face Brentford in the first home game of the season on Sunday. Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix look ahead to that match and discuss the latest Leeds transfer news.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Leeds set for goalkeeper switchpublished at 07:58 BST 28 August
07:58 BST 28 August
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United are set to confirm the loan exit of Lucas Perri and bring in fellow goalkeeper Michael Zetterer from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Perri, 28, is positioned to join Serie A side Torino on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.
The Brazilian made 16 appearances in the Premier League last season after joining the Whites in summer 2025.
Meanwhile, German Zetterer, 31, played the majority of Frankfurt's matches in 2025-26 after injury to their first-choice keeper Kaua Santos, and is now expected to move to Elland Road as back-up to James Trafford.
Leeds and Frankfurt have given permission to Perri and Zetterer to travel pending the respective deals.
What do Leeds still need in the transfer window?published at 14:27 BST 26 August
14:27 BST 26 August
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Having pushed the boat out to sign James Trafford from Manchester City, big money signings are probably off the agenda for Leeds in the last week of the window.
They are interested in taking Mykhailo Mudryk on loan but have not been able to strike a deal with the London club as yet as they are looking at other left-wingers.
Leeds are also considering back-up options for forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha and have also been linked with Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, if Lucas Perri joins Torino on loan as expected.
Lewis Deighton, Leeds fan
Leeds have had a great transfer window but they badly need another left-footed left-back as cover for Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Beyond that, perhaps another forward or creative midfielder to contend with Harry Wilson, Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor.
What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Leeds - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:42 BST 26 August
12:42 BST 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Carabao Cup second-round game between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.
Here are some of your comments:
Forest fans
Ian: A much worse performance than Saturday's, I'm not sure Liam Delap will solve the problem. Not pretty to watch, no identity, lack of ideas, feels like a rebuild is needed rather than tweaking.
Graham: Nothing positive to come from last night, that was plainly obvious. Wood, Ousmane Diomande, Dan Ndoye, Xaver Schlager and James McAtee are not good enough. Oliver Glasner's tactics don't suit the players. We were too narrow and no bite up front.
David: The smiles have gone and the tactics of passing back, passing back and passing back to Matz Sels, before he boots it to the centre circle where our lone striker is outnumbered and no one else is there to fight for the second ball is simply not good enough.
Andrew: The worst Forest performance in over a year. Clueless players with little idea of what the playing plan should be.
Leeds fans
Bryan: The sleeping giant is starting to wake up. Never get enough credit from the pundits or press. This is great, they are creeping under the radar and will surprise all the experts this season. Will be classed as one of the strongest in defence in the Premier League and once they sign another striker, watch out top six, one of you will be losing your place.
Peter: This Leeds side could be really good with just a couple of quality additions in the forward areas as they are so wasteful. Dan James created so much and the players around him didn't anticipate his crosses.
Ali: Solid performances against Forest, but let's not get carried away. Still light in a number of areas (striker, left-back, winger, goalkeeper and attacking midfield) and these need reinforcing to be productive over a long season.
Alan: Excellent defensive display, the attack needs to sharpen up, James Justin's goal is a great advert to scrap VAR, in the league it would have been disallowed. Yet again, there is a great buzz around the club, but it's early days. Let's not get carried away.
'Every day is fun coming into the training sessions' - Elvedipublished at 09:26 BST 26 August
09:26 BST 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United summer signing Nico Elvedi has been speaking about making his club debut in theCarabao Cup second round winoverNottingham Forest:"It was great. I'm proud of this team after that performance. We deserved this win, but it was a very strong performance from the home team as well. I'm happy we are going through to the next stage.
"My performance was OK. I had a hard battle with Chris Wood which wasn't easy. I like it when the player I'm marking is strong, and I think I did well. There are still things for me to improve but, for my first game of the season, it was OK.
"I'm so happy to be here. I have some great new team-mates, so it was very easy to come to this club. Every day is fun coming into the training sessions and playing on the pitch with these good players."
On ending an 11-year stint at Borussia Monchengladbach to join Leeds United: "It was hard because that club was my family. I had a lot of good memories there, but this is a new step in my career so I'm happy to be here."
Listen to the full post-match interview below or on BBC Sounds here
When is the EFL Cup third-round draw?published at 07:00 BST 26 August
07:00 BST 26 August
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
The third-round draw for the 2026-27 Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday, 26 August following the conclusion of Preston North End vs Everton.
Nine Premier League clubs taking part in European football join the 23 first-round winners from across the English Football League.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton and Crystal Palace will enter the competition at this stage, as the top eight Premier League clubs from the 2025-26 season plus Crystal Palace as Conference League winners.
It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of the third round tie between Preston North End and Everton, kicking off at 20:00 BST.
Unlike the opening two rounds of the competition, the third round draw is not regionalised.
However, before the match at Deepdale there will be a pre-draw determining which of the Champions League and Europa League clubs will play at home or away in round three.
In order to avoid potential scheduling issues, the eight Champions League and Europa League clubs cannot be drawn against each other in round three.
When the draw takes place, the first eight fixtures decided are the ones involving clubs in the Champions League and Europa League. The remainder of the draw will be an open draw as usual.
Due to clashes with opening weeks of the Champions League and Europa League seasons, the third round will be played across two different weeks. They are the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September, 2026.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Leeds: What Farke and Rodon saidpublished at 22:34 BST 25 August
22:34 BST 25 August
Media caption,
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds: "The start of the season was not too bad for us. First and foremost, it was important to go through to the next round. We did this in a tough place. Also, we had to wait pretty long for a clean sheet in Nottingham and then to do it twice in three days is remarkable. Pretty sure they were also more motivated and a bit out for revenge today but the level of performance was decisive.
It was a well deserved win. We dominated the game more or less from the first to the last second and just compliments to the boys for the win but also for the level of performance from them."
Leeds United defender Joe Rodon, speaking to ITV Sport: "In the first half, there were a lot of good chances. We know that it's a difficult place to come, overall I'm happy to come back and win."
On Daniel James: "Injuries are a part of the game, we know what he's capable of, he showed his quality and had a great finish. We need everyone, it's a long season, the ability in the squad is unbelievable, we need everyone together.
"We want to change the mentality, grow again as a group and win as many games as we can. The signs have been top, we want to continue with this momentum into next weekend."
You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Birmingham City v Brentford" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Nottingham Forest match", for example.
'Farke will go pretty strong'published at 07:37 BST 25 August
07:37 BST 25 August
Image source, Getty Images
On the latest episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix looked ahead to Leeds United's team selection as the Whites prepare to face Nottingham Forest again, this time in the Carabao Cup.
Buchan believes James Trafford should keep his place in goal with Nico Elvedi also in line for some minutes.
"I think you stick with Trafford, giving him as much game time as you can. There's no point in putting Lucas Perri in if he's going to go elsewhere. I'd try to give Nico Elvedi some game time, for who I'm not sure," said the BBC Radio Leeds sports editor.
"Calvert-Lewin playing the full 90 minutes [on Saturday] suggests to me that Lukas Nmecha will play the full 90 on Tuesday. He's maybe said you'll both get a full 90 in this first week unless something happens."
Rix added: "I think Farke will go pretty strong because it's about getting fitness into the legs. So I think most of the back five will play, but I think Elvedi will play and Sean Longstaff. And maybe Dan James in for Brenden Aaronson, and Lukas Nmecha in for Dominic Calvert-Lewin."
Pope said: "Do you give Harry Wilson another run out? He's been there all pre-season - it's a synergy thing, isn't it? I would start him."
🎧Muharemovic impressespublished at 19:09 BST 24 August
19:09 BST 24 August
Media caption,
The team on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go to Bed Just yet think Tarik Muharemovic caught the eye in the Whites' opening win against Nottingham Forest.
BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan says he was "really impressed" and that the defender looked a "level up" on some of those who previously filled the role.
There's also praise aplenty for Anton Stach.
Listen to a clip above, the podcast below or in full on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Farke on Gruev return date, 'the perfect start' and Mudryk 'noise'published at 15:25 BST 24 August
15:25 BST 24 August
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (kick-off 20:00 BST), having clinched a late 1-0 win there on Saturday.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
With "no new injuries" to report following their Premier League season-opener, he is expecting to have "more or less the same players available" for their first cup match of the season.
Ilia Gruev, who suffered a meniscus knee injury in April, is "fully back" in team training after being "partly integrated" last week. However, this fixture comes "a bit too soon".
He added: "We want him to be back in team training for at least two weeks before he is ready for selection, each and every training session will help."
Willy Gnonto and Gabriel Gudmundsson, who are both nursing hamstring injuries, are in a good place with their rehabilitation but are not back in team training just yet.
On starting the Premier League season with a win: "There is no replacement for a winning feeling in the dressing room. To get a clean sheet and an away win on matchday one is the perfect start. If you look at the other results, they show how difficult it is to deliver away wins at this level."
Despite the identical circumstances, Farke says Leeds will not have the edge over Nottingham Forest as you "can't really compare" league games and cup games.
He explained: "Our league win is good for our mood and confidence, but this is a 'do or die' cup game. Both teams will be motivated to progress, so I expect a tight game. It will be difficult to win on the road again against a tough opponent."
In terms of team selection, it will be about "finding the right balance" between resting players and building momentum. Farke explained: "You want to keep the competition in the squad high at the start of a season, you want the players fighting for their place, so there will be some rotation but I don't expect it to be a completely different side."
Summer signing Nico Elvedi is "eligible to play and in very good shape" after a full pre-season with Borussia Monchengladbach, so there is "definitely a possibility" for his full debut.
On how much it would mean to win a first domestic cup of his managerial career: "Well, we weren't too far away last season. Overall, I would say my form in cup competitions hasn't been too bad during my career. I'm a big believer in these competitions, I like the 'do or die' mentality. I would never say no to another good cup run."
When asked about Leeds United's interest in Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk, he replied: "There's always noise around this club. You get the feeling agents try to use our name to get others to speak about their player. Sometimes we are linked with players I haven't even heard of!"
The club will "stay awake until more or less the last second" of the summer transfer window but they will only commit to deals that "make sense". The aim is to "be financially sustainable" and "not gamble" on transfers.
Sam Byram's future will most likely be away from Elland Road. The defender didn't get much game time last season and is currently exploring his options.
Farke added: "He has always been in my plans and in my head because I have a soft spot for him. I love him as a player and as a human being. We wish him all the best. Fingers crossed he makes a good decision for his future."
Image source, Getty Images
