Maximilian Wöber
S04
CB
Ball-Playing Centre Back
Feb 4, 1998 (28)
Left
6'2"
190 lb
Schalke 04Cleared illness, on bench
Wober is on the bench for Sunday's friendly against Real Madrid after clearing his illness, the club announced.
Analysis: Wober had missed Saturday's friendly against Atalanta due to the illness, and his return to the matchday squad here confirms he's put the issue behind him without an extended absence. He continues competing for a spot in Schalke's defense, with Vitalie Becker and Hasan Kurucay having picked up increased duties in his absence. Wober is expected to build up his match fitness ahead of the Bundesliga opener.
Recovering from illness
Wober was not in the match squad for Saturday's friendly versus Atalanta because of an illness, the club reported.
Analysis: Wober should be able to avoid an extended absence if he's only dealing with a minor ailment, contending for a spot in Schalke's defense. Otherwise, Vitalie Becker and Hasan Kurucay should earn increased duties in left-sided and central spots, respectively. There will be a few more chances for Wober to appear in friendly and Pokal matches while he regains form ahead of the Bundesliga opener.
Completes Schalke move
Wober completed a permanent transfer to Schalke 04 on Wednesday.
Analysis: Schalke needed an experienced defender to lead the line in their return to the Bundesliga, and Wober fits that mold. The 28-year-old spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Werder Bremen but has previously played for RB Leipzig, Monchengladbach and Ajax, among other clubs. Wober figures to be a regular starter for Schalke if he's healthy.
Parts ways with Leeds
Wober has mutually terminated his contract with Leeds United and will depart the club on a permanent basis, the club announced.
Analysis: The 28-year-old centre-back, who can also play left-back, joined Leeds from RB Salzburg in 2023 and made 19 appearances across all competitions in his debut season. He made eight league appearances and scored once during the club's Championship title-winning 2024-25 campaign, before spending last season on loan at Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. He now departs Elland Road permanently after four and a half years, and is reported to be closing in on a free-transfer move to Schalke.
Heading back to Leeds United
Wober will return to parent club Leeds United following the conclusion of his loan spell at Werder Bremen.
Analysis: Wober managed just two Bundesliga appearances across 35 minutes this season after the knee injury suffered in preseason severely limited his involvement throughout the campaign, making his loan spell at Werder one of the most difficult periods of a career that has previously included stints at Sevilla, Ajax, Red Bull Salzburg and Gladbach. The Austrian international center-back now heads back to Leeds where his fitness will continue to be assessed, with the club hoping he can return to the level he showed during his 25-appearance Bundesliga campaign at Gladbach in 2022/23 once fully recovered.
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