Robin Koch has revealed the reasons why he chose to join Leeds United this summer.
The centre-back joined the Whites from SC Freiburg on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee last month.
The 24-year-old signed after the Elland Road club were forced to abandon their chase for Brighton's Ben White, who impressed in Leeds' Championship title-winning season, but is set to sign a new deal on the south coast.
Koch, who made his Germany debut last year, turned out 32 times for Freiburg in the Bundesliga last season, primarily as a centre-back, but was also called on to cover in midfield at times, showing the kind of versatility that Bielsa craves in his squad.
And he has revealed how the opportunity to work with Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa was just too good to turn down.
“Leeds were looking for a strong defender who can open the game and who dares to act bravely from behind,” Koch told German publication Bild.
“The association really dealt with me extremely, I received a lot of emails, a lot of files, a lot of presentations. I was surprised at how precisely I was analyzed.
“Here, too, you could see Bielsa's meticulousness. Ultimately, it is extremely important to me to develop myself further in the current phase of my career and to get the ideal input for this, therefore Premier League - therefore Bielsa.”
While Koch also addressed the speculation linking him with a move to Hertha Berlin before he opted to join the Whites.
He said: “There was an intensive exchange, I also met Bruno Labbadia once. There were basically options to stay in the Bundesliga.
“I've dealt with a few other clubs over the past few months. Ultimately, however, I made my decision very consciously and with full conviction.”
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