Maximilian Wöber joins Borussia on loan from Leeds United

Borussia have completed the loan signing of 25-year-old defender Maximilian Wöber from Leeds United until 30th June 2024.

“The experience a high level that Max has already got at his previous clubs and in the Austria national team will be beneficial to our young team,” said Roland Virkus, managing director for sport. “He is a player that doesn’t shy away from responsibility. As a left-footer, he also is a great addition for us tactically, and can play both in central defence or at left-back.” Maximilan Wöber: “Borussia are a club steeped in tradition, and one that I have always taken an interest in and enjoyed watching, particularly as there have been a number of Austrian players here. It’s a very exciting move for me and I’m really looking forward to getting going.”

Wöber began his footballing career at SZ Marswiese and Wiener SC. He joined Rapid Wien’s academy at twelve years old and worked his way through their youth teams. On 25th February 2016, he made his competitive debut for the first team in a Europa League match against Valencia. His maiden appearance in the Austrian Bundesliga came in the following season, on 6th November 2016 against Wolfsberger AC. He played a total of 24 games for Rapid in all competitions (2 goals), before completing a move to Ajax in 2017. In one a half years in Amsterdam, Wöber made 39 competitive appearances (1 goal).

The 25-year-old was loaned out to Sevilla FC for the second half of the 2018/19 season, featuring eight times. He then returned to Austria in summer 2019, signing for Red Bull Salzburg. He played a total of 125 competitive games in four years for RB (9 goals), winning four league titles and three domestic cups. He completed a transfer to Leeds United in January 2023 and immediately commanded a regular spot in the starting line-up (19 appearances), but was unable to prevent the club from being relegated to the Championship.

Wöber has won 16 caps for Austria to date, making his senior debut for the national team on 6th October 2017 in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia. The defender had previously played 26 times between U15 and U19 level, as well as twelve times for the U21s (1 goal).