Nico Elvedi's first words after Leeds United transfer with Manchester United vow and Elland Road excitement
Leeds United confirmed the defender’s arrival on a three-year contract on Wednesday.
New Leeds United signing Nico Elvedi has already set his sights on recreating a historic Whites victory this season.
Elvedi signed a three-year contract at Elland Road on Wednesday following the agreement of a €10million (£8.5m) deal with Borussia Monchengladbach. Leeds will pay an initial £6.8m for the 29-year-old Swiss international, who they believe can operate comfortably across the back three.
After 11 years at Monchengladbach, Elvedi admits he felt ready to make a big step into the Premier League and believes new club Leeds could be onto big things this campaign. The defender also outlined his hope to match last season’s historic win over an old and fierce rival.
“I’m very excited,” Elvedi told LUTV. “I am very happy to be here, everything is done and I can’t wait to play for this club. I know Leeds have a big history, Manchester United is also a big rival so we will try to beat them this season.
“It is such a big club with amazing fans and I also can’t wait to play in this stadium with the fans. I saw some videos from the stadium, from the fans, and I love it. Everybody told me it is a special moment to go through the tunnel and see the atmosphere. I can’t wait to see that.
“It is a big step but I think I need this step. I am happy to be here and excited. I will find out but here it is the best league in the world. Everything is faster and stronger. I think we have a good team this season but I think we can reach big things this season. We will see where we get at the end.”
Elvedi arrives as Leeds’ fourth signing of the summer with just three days until the new campaign gets underway, but he should have no problem settling in. The defender spent one season at Monchengladbach playing under Daniel Farke and joined Noah Okafor at this summer’s World Cup with Switzerland.
“I talked with Noah a little bit and he just told me good things about the club and the fans so, yeah, I am happy,” he added. “We talked at the World Cup about this club!
“I talked with the manager, I know him as well and, yeah, he is also a big point for this change. It was just one year but I loved to have him as a manager. I learned a lot from him and I will learn a lot now.”