Leeds United have announced the signing of full-back Rasmus Kristensen on a five-year deal from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg.
Borussia Dortmund were also reportedly interested in the Danish international before Leeds managed to tie up a deal for a fee reported to be around £10 million. The transfer represents the Yorkshire club’s second foray into the transfer market, after the arrival of RB Salzburg teammate Brenden Aaronson.
✍ He’s here. Rasmus Kristensen signs for #LUFC on a five-year deal for a fee in the region of £10m. Signing No. 2 from FC Red Bull Salzburg. pic.twitter.com/S6tGg2ZE9j
— Joe Donnohue (@JoeDonnohue) June 8, 2022
Rasmus Kristensen Joins Leeds United on Five-Year Deal
The Announcement
Speaking about joining Leeds United, Kristensen said “It’s a huge historical club which is playing in the best league in the world and for me, it fits everything that I love about a football club”.
Also speaking about the transfer, Leeds manager Jesse Marsch said about the player: “He established himself at Red Bull Salzburg as one of their best players, a very good Champions League full-back, and a Danish international. I am totally convinced that he will continue to grow into a great Premier League full-back as well.”
Leeds United Director of Football, Victor Orta, added: “Other teams wanted him, including teams playing in the Champions League in the top five leagues, but he wants to prove himself in the best league in the world and this makes me very happy with the signing.”
What Leeds Are Getting
Kristensen emerged as a key player for Salzburg since joining the club from Ajax in the Summer of 2019. The 24-year-old made 107 appearances in all competitions for the Austrian Bundesliga champions, including 29 appearances in the 2021/22 season. The energetic right-back also contributed with seven goals and four assists this season as he helped the club lift the Austrian Bundesliga title for the second season in a row.
Much like fellow Leeds signing and former Salzburg teammate Aaronson, Kristensen also played under Marsch when he was still in charge at Salzburg. This means that the defender should already be fairly familiar with the system that Marsch will look to deploy in Leeds as he prepares for his first full season in charge of the club.
In his time at Salzburg, Kristensen has shown to be an energetic and dependable presence on the right side of their defence. The Danish international ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles, as well as the 93rd percentile for pressure among full-backs. Notably, Kristensen also ranks in the 98th percentile for aerials won among full-backs, which, given that Leeds struggled against set-pieces last season, will likely be music to the ears of fans.
Leeds underwent a difficult time during their second season back in the Premier League, securing their status as a top-flight club on the last day of the season. With the club looking to avoid a repeat for the 2022/23 season, they will need to strengthen a squad that was decimated by injuries. With two-signings completed already the club looks to be on the right track.
