Leeds United are looking at Eintracht Frankfurt's Michael Zetterer as a potential back-up goalkeeper. The club's search for cover follows several departures from the goalkeeping department this summer.
The 31-year-old German has been identified as a target. New signing James Trafford is set to be the first choice, but manager Daniel Farke wants experienced competition. Alex Cairns is currently the next option on the squad list.
Leeds have seen a clear-out of shot-stoppers. Lucas Perri is joining Torino on a loan deal that includes an option to buy. Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow have also left the club, with Darlow moving to Manchester United. This leaves a clear need for a reliable second-choice keeper behind Trafford, who arrived earlier in the transfer window. The club's activity can be tracked on our stats page, which details all ins and outs.
Zetterer is a patient goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. His style of distribution and ability to build play from the back aligns with the demands of Daniel Farke's system. Coaches have long praised his composure, noting he stays calm under pressure, which helps his defensive line push higher up the pitch.
His career faced a major setback between 2016 and 2018 due to multiple wrist fractures that required operations. Doctors warned he might not play again. Fighting back to compete for the starting spot at a club like Frankfurt highlights a significant personal comeback.
The goalkeeper came through at SpVgg Unterhaching, breaking through as a regular in Germany's third division as a teenager. He joined Werder Bremen in 2015, where he kept 22 clean sheets in 80 appearances. He also had loan spells at PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands and Austria Klagenfurt before his move to Eintracht Frankfurt. Last season, he made 28 appearances for Frankfurt, playing alongside former Leeds defenders Robin Koch and Rasmus Kristensen.
Securing an experienced deputy like Zetterer would allow James Trafford to focus on establishing himself as the undisputed number one. It also provides key depth for a long Championship campaign, where fixture congestion is common. The potential move is part of a broader reshaping of the squad, which fans can follow through the latest standings and form guide. Adding a player of his profile on a likely low-cost deal represents sensible squad management as the window draws to a close.
