Leeds sign Harry Wilson and target five more free agents as Farke reshapes squad

Leeds United have completed the signing of Harry Wilson on a four-year contract, with the Welsh winger joining Elland Road as a free agent following his departure from Fulham. The move marks the first acquisition of Daniel Farke’s summer rebuild, and the club’s recruitment team is wasting no time in pursuing further additions.

Farke guided Leeds to a 14th-place finish last season after a gruelling battle against relegation, and the German coach has made clear that consolidation is no longer the target — a top-half finish is the ambition. With a number of players’ contracts expiring, a wave of free agents has become available, and Leeds are well-positioned to act quickly.

Danilho Doekhi is one name firmly on the radar. The 28-year-old Union Berlin centre-back, who was linked with a move to Elland Road in January, is now available for nothing after his contract expired. Farke is understood to want more physical presence in defence, and the Dutch international fits that profile while also offering technical reliability.

Between the posts, Leeds face an immediate vacancy after Illan Meslier departed as a free agent. Stefan Ortega, released by Nottingham Forest, has been identified as a solution. The goalkeeper’s composure and ability with the ball at his feet make him a natural fit for Farke’s style, whether as a starter or a capable deputy.

At left-back, Tyrell Malacia is available after leaving Manchester United, where injury disrupted much of his time at Old Trafford. At 26, the Dutchman still carries Premier League pedigree, and Farke — a manager with a track record of reviving careers — could be the right fit to restore him to form.

In the attacking midfield department, Julian Brandt is reported to be Leeds’ next primary target following Wilson’s arrival. The 30-year-old Borussia Dortmund playmaker offers the creative quality and versatility Farke has been seeking, capable of operating on the wing or in the number ten role.

With Wilson already through the door and a clear strategy in place, Leeds are moving with purpose in what could prove a defining summer for the club’s Premier League trajectory.