Who is Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi – and what would he bring to Leeds United?

When Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi faced the press before Bayern Munich’s early November visit to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, he was asked how he planned to stop Harry Kane, the Bundesliga’s leading marksman.

What no one thought to ask was how Bayern planned to stop Doekhi.

The 27-year-old Dutchman twice put Union ahead against the champions, drilling home a Janik Haberer corner midway through the first half before pouncing on Kane’s failed attempt to clear a free-kick. Kane went on to atone with a stoppage-time header, ensuring Bayern left Köpenick with a 2-2 draw. But the result ended the visitors’ run of 16 wins in as many games – the best start to a season ever seen from a men’s team across the top five European leagues – and Doekhi’s contribution had been central.

What did Danilho Doekhi say about scoring against Bayern Munich?

“Before the game, you’re already hoping that you can score against Bayern, because we know it’s a top team in Europe and in the whole world,” he reflected afterwards. “They won 16 times in a row, so you know it’s going to be a difficult match. 

“You try to give a good performance yourself and maybe help the team with a goal. To score two was crazy.”

Crazy it might have been; out of character it was not. Doekhi has scored six goals this season, with his brace against Bayern notable for the fact that both goals were scored with his feet. It marks a fresh departure for the 6ft 3in centre-back, who is better noted for the nine headed goals he has delivered – more than any other defender in Europe’s top five leagues – since joining Union from Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem three and a half years ago.

Will Danilho Doekhi leave Union Berlin?

How much longer Doekhi will remain in the German capital remains to be seen, however. The dust had barely settled on his exploits against Bayern before reports emerged that the Dutchman, whose uncle is former Netherlands international Winston Bogarde, did not plan to prolong his stay at Union beyond the expiry of his contract next summer. The expectation is that the club, currently eighth in the Bundesliga table, will therefore seek to move on the £11m-rated Dutchman in January rather than lose him for nothing in six months’ time.

There has been no shortage of interest in Doekhi, who has been linked with top-flight clubs in countries including England, Italy and Spain. Given the centre-back’s threat from set pieces and familiarity with playing as part of a back three in the 3-4-2-1 system favoured by Union manager Steffen Baumgart, it comes as no surprise that Leeds United are among those clubs.

This season, only Manchester United have scored more set-piece goals than Leeds in the Premier League, so Doekhi’s arrival would enhance Leeds’ existing strengths while also shoring up a defence that has conceded 32 goals. 

Leeds United target: ‘I know I can be dangerous at set-pieces’

“I know that in those situations, I can be dangerous,” he said. “Sometimes I stay a little bit longer around the box, because sometimes the first attempt does not work, but then the second cross comes in and it is a little bit more chaotic in the opponent’s defence.”

Daniel Farke, the Leeds manager, is a confirmed admirer of the Dutchman, having previously tried to sign him four years ago, during his Norwich tenure. A fresh move for Doekhi would be particularly timely following the injury sustained by Joe Rodon in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

For Doekhi, meanwhile, physical setbacks have been rare. He has been ever-present for Union over the past two seasons, showing a resilience that would surely serve him well in the English top-flight.

“I think it’s important to take care of your body, to sleep enough, to eat healthy, get good recovery after training, before matches, after matches,” he said. “It’s more kind of a lifestyle that you have to have and, of course, you also have to be lucky you don’t get crazy injuries.”

While Doekhi’s departure would undoubtedly represent a blow for Union – especially since fellow centre-back Diego Leite, whose contract is also up this summer, could likewise leave the club in January – it would at least provide the club with funds towards a replacement.

How easily they would be able to replace the Dutchman’s influential contribution at both ends of the pitch is another question.