Statement as Leeds United confirm transfer after 11pm deadline with fee clarity — YEP 2/9/26

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By Kyle Newbould

Leeds United have officially welcomed their seventh and final new face through the door.

Leeds United have confirmed the signing of winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 21-year-old French youth international has initially joined Daniel Farke’s side on loan for the 2026/27 season. The YEP understands Leeds will pay an initial €2m loan fee while also agreeing to a €23m option plus €5m of add-ons.

Elland Road recruitment chiefs spent much of the summer searching for reinforcements at left-wing. Attempts to sign Julian Brandt and Mykhailo Mudryk both fell short but a late-window move for Bahoya has now gone through.

A club statement read: “Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of exciting forward Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, who joins the club from Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with the option to become a permanent transfer and becomes our seventh addition of the summer transfer window! The 21-year-old arrives at Elland Road after making 37 appearances for Frankfurt during the last campaign, eight of which came in the UEFA Champions League.

“Bahoya began his career with Angers in his native France, making his debut for the club in a Coupe de France meeting with Strasbourg in 2023 before enjoying a first Ligue 1 outing in a home clash against Lyon. Midway through a stellar campaign the next time around in the French second tier, the winger made the switch to Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2024 aged just 18 at the time and featured eight times in the Bundesliga in to end the term.

“The following season, Jean-Mattéo netted his first goal for Frankfurt in a UEFA Europa League Round of 16 win over Ajax. His nine appearances in the competition helped the team to the quarterfinals of the tournament. During that season on domestic duties, the pacy winger set the record for the fastest ever sprint speed recorded in Bundesliga history, 37.16 km/h, just 0.42 km/h slower than the average pace of Usain Bolt’s 2009 World Record 100m run.

“The versatile forward, who can play anywhere across the attacking line and in a more creative midfield role, has earned five caps for France’s Under-21s and netted two goals! Jean-Mattéo becomes our second signing on deadline day, ending an incredibly exciting and productive summer. Everyone at the club would like to welcome him to West Yorkshire.”

Increasing confidence in West Yorkshire on deadline day that a deal for Bahoya would go through allowed club chiefs to sanction a first-team exit. Willy Gnonto joined Fiorentina on loan and Leeds stand to receive up to £18m if a permanent option is triggered and add-ons paid.

Earlier this evening, Leeds also confirmed the arrival of left-back Melvin Bard on loan from OGC Nice. The Whites have paid a €1m loan fee and also have a €5m option to make the deal permanent.

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