Leeds United recently found themselves compelled to issue a public statement in support of their captain, Ethan Ampadu, following controversy stirred by a social media post. The post, shared by Ampadu’s former partner, featured their child wearing a Galatasaray shirt—an image that quickly gained attention online. In their statement, Leeds clarified that Ampadu and his former partner are no longer together, and emphasized that the Welsh international had no involvement in the photo being posted. The club also highlighted that Ampadu is understandably sensitive to the matter. It’s unfortunate that this situation has overshadowed what was a stellar season for the versatile defender, who has become one of Leeds’ most valuable players.
As of June 19, 2025, Ethan Ampadu’s market value stands at €16 million (£13.4 million), according to Transfermarkt. This marks a significant rise from the £7 million Leeds reportedly paid to bring him in from Chelsea ahead of the 2023/24 season. His strong performances in the Championship have driven up his worth, with the midfielder making 84 appearances and contributing to an impressive 35 clean sheets in all competitions since his arrival.
However, despite Ampadu’s rising stock, another former Leeds defender, Robin Koch, now boasts an even higher valuation—despite leaving the club for free just a year ago. Koch originally joined Leeds from Freiburg in 2020 for an initial £11.5 million and featured 77 times over three seasons. After Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League, Koch moved on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt for the 2023/24 campaign, eventually departing permanently in the summer of 2024 when his contract expired.
| Robin Koch | 22/23 Premier League | 24/25 Bundesliga |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 36 | 30 |
| Goals | 0 | 3 |
| Dribbled past per game | 0.9x | 0.4x |
| Clearances per game | 4.1 | 6.5 |
| Aerial duel success rate | 62% | 67% |
| Duels won per game | 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Stats via Sofascore | ||
Koch’s form in the Bundesliga has been a revelation compared to his time in England, and his impact at Frankfurt has drawn interest from several top German clubs. Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg recently revealed that Bayer Leverkusen are willing to activate Koch’s release clause, which is reportedly worth up to €20 million (£16.8 million). Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also said to be monitoring his situation. This represents a dramatic rise in value, and starkly contrasts with the fact that Leeds received nothing in return for his departure.
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Looking back, Leeds may well regret how Koch’s exit was handled. Allowing his contract to run down meant they missed the opportunity to recoup any transfer fee—despite his market value now exceeding both the fee they initially paid and even Ampadu’s current valuation. Koch’s resurgence in Germany, paired with his potential big-money move, only amplifies the sense of a missed opportunity for the Whites.
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