Deal can grow to €17m
Just two years after joining Bayern Munich from Espanyol, Marc Roca has left the Rekordmeister. On Friday, Bayern Munich reached an agreement with Premier League side Leeds United. German magazine kicker reported that the club managed by American Jesse Marsch will pay an initial €12 million, plus €5 million in performance-based bonuses. Roca has signed a contract until 2026.
“Leeds United gave me the chance and the opportunity. I will give everything and give my best,” Roca said in a club statement. “My first steps were in Spain, then I played in Germany, now it is time to join Leeds and play here in the Premier League.” The deal means that Bayern Munich will make a slight profit. The Rekordmeister paid an initial €9 million for the central midfielder. Espanyol were also set to receive up to €6 million in performance-based add-ons. Whether the LaLiga club will receive a certain percentage of the Leeds deal could not be confirmed.
Either way, Bayern are set to make a profit on a player who has struggled to make his mark in the Bundesliga. In his two years in Germany, Roca managed just 24 games for Bayern—15 in the Bundesliga (no goals and assists). As a result, Roca’s market value collapsed from €16 million to just €7 million.
#Bayern‘s Roca is set to join #LUFC. Done deal ! The Rekordmeister will receive €12m initially + €5m in bonuses from Leeds United. Despite struggling in the #Bundesliga, #FCBayern will make a profit on the deal. Roca joined for an official €9m from Espanyol. pic.twitter.com/5X673gXFuT
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) June 17, 2022
Marsch admires Roca – “Encouraged me to come here”
Despite all that, Leeds United were willing to pay a significant fee for the former Spanish youth international. “He [Jesse Marsch] encouraged me to come here, and I can’t wait to start working with him. I think we can do good things,” Roca said. Once all performance-based metrics are met, Roca will become one of the ten most expensive signings in Leeds’ history (overview). “It’s a new experience and a new challenge for me,” Roca explained.
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