Sebastiaan Bornauw - Leeds Land Their Belgian Giant

Leeds United have completed the signing of Sebastiaan Bornauw from VfL Wolfsburg in a deal worth around £5.2 million. The towering Belgian centre-back has signed a four-year deal, becoming the latest addition to Daniel Farke’s reshaped defensive unit ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League.

Bornauw brings serious pedigree to Elland Road. A product of the Anderlecht academy, he broke into the first team at just 19 and quickly earned a move to Germany, first with FC Köln and then Wolfsburg. Across his Bundesliga career, he has racked up nearly 140 top-flight appearances and built a reputation as a physically dominant defender who thrives in aerial duels and pressure situations. At 6'3", he's exactly the sort of presence Leeds have often lacked in both boxes, and his experience in high-intensity, relegation-threatened environments could prove invaluable next season.

What makes this deal all the more exciting is how well Bornauw complements fellow summer signing Jaka Bijol. The Slovenian, signed from Udinese for a reported £15 million, is a completely different kind of centre-back: intelligent, positionally sharp, and comfortable stepping into midfield. With Bijol’s ability to read the game and carry the ball out from the back, and Bornauw’s no-nonsense physicality, Leeds now have a variety of options at centre back and finally a bit of depth.





Bornauw has also filled in at right-back during his time in Germany, giving Farke further tactical options. In games where Leeds may look to tuck into a back three in possession, Bornauw could slot into that hybrid role, freeing up an attacking full-back to bomb forward. His Bundesliga stats speak to his suitability for Premier League football, among the top in Europe for aerial duels won and blocks made, he's not afraid to put his body on the line.

After a season in the Championship where defensive stability proved vital, Leeds are wisely building a more robust foundation to survive and thrive at the next level. The arrival of Bornauw, following Bijol and Lukas Nmecha earlier in the summer, marks another smart move in what is shaping up to be a very focused and deliberate window. These are not flashy signings, but they are experienced, dependable, and add a physicality the club have identified as a requirement for survival next season.

With pre-season starting soon, fans will be eager to see how Daniel Farke’s new look defence shapes up as Bornauw and Bijol slot into the side. Though Bornauw may not be first choice, with Joe Rodon likely to retain his place, it does raise questions as to what Pascal Struijk’s role will be next season. As a former Premier League starter and club captain, Struijk will not want to sit our Leeds United’s return to the topflight. Will Farke adapt his defence to accommodate all the options at his disposal or could the club look to cash in on the ‘homegrown’ defender to give them much needed PSR headroom?