Max Wober 'best form' hope outlined as Leeds United exit opens up on 'exciting' next move
The Austrian defender left Leeds United on Wednesday after a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
Leeds United exit Max Wober’s new club Schalke are ‘convinced’ they can return the defender to his best form next season.
Wober’s free transfer to Schalke was confirmed on Wednesday night with the Austrian signing a one-year deal at the Veltins Arena. The 28-year-old was under contract at Leeds until 2027 but player and club mutually agreed to terminate those terms early, thanks in part to a sell-on clause included in his £10m move from RB Salzburg in 2023.
The decision calls time on a wholly disappointing three-and-a-half year spell at Leeds for Wober, who played just 28 games for his parent club and spent two seasons out on loan. Last year’s move to Werder Bremen produced just three appearances due to a serious knee injury suffered on debut.
But Schalke director of football Youri Mulder harbours hope the out-of-form defender can find his groove next season. He said: “Maximilian Wober joins us with the experience of more than 170 top-flight games, and his time in Mönchengladbach and Bremen means he is already familiar with the Bundesliga.
“We are convinced that he will be able to rediscover his best form with us. Our coaching staff, together with Miron Muslic, will work closely with him. As a player, his attributes give us the flexibility to use him in a number of different defensive set-ups.”
Max Wober’s first words after Leeds United exit
Wober’s move to Schalke continues his affinity to the Bundesliga. The defender’s two loan spells away from Leeds - the first coming after he triggered a relegation release clause in 2023 - were at Borussia Monchengladbach and Bremen, where he made a combined 27 league appearances.
Schalke have spent the past three years in Germany’s second tier but were just promoted back into the Bundesliga. They are one of the country's most historic clubs with a long list of domestic and European honours - including the 1996/97 UEFA Cup.
“Schalke 04 proved a very exciting opportunity for me right from the start,” Wober said. “After some really positive talks, I’m looking forward to taking on a new challenge at a very special club, who were deservedly promoted.
“Playing in the Bundesliga for Schalke poses an exciting challenge. I would now like to settle in as quickly as possible and get to know my new teammates.”