Nmecha, who has spent time on loan at Preston and Middlesbrough while on the books at Man City, is about to come to the end of a four-year stint at Wolfsburg and Leeds have moved first to sign Nmecha.
Graham Smyth reports that a deal is done for Nmecha, with the seven-time Germany star now landing in England ahead of completing a medical and agreeing a move which has come completely out of the blue.
Below are five facts about Nmecha beyond the obvious stats – including the whereabouts and career of his brother, and the departing Leeds player he shared a dressing room over the last few years.
Five facts about Lukas Nmecha as Leeds announce free transfer
Sharing a dressing room with Josuha Guilavogui
Nmecha is coming to end of a spell lasting four years at Wolfsburg but interestingly, it is not the 26-year-old’s first spell at Wolfsburg. The German club was his second loan spell of four away from Man City.
During his time at Wolfsburg, Nmecha shared a pitch 37 times with Josuha Guilavogui. Perhaps, Leeds spoke to Guilavogui before doing a deal to sign Nmecha – which has now been confirmed by Leeds.
Nmecha regarded as homegrown after Man City education
While Nmecha was born in Hamburg, the striker joined Man City’s academy in 2007 at the age of just nine. He came through the academy and made his debut for City just five days after his 19th birthday.
It means that when it comes to Premier League registration rules, Nmecha will be seen as homegrown even though he plays for Germany and has spent the last four years in German football for Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg goals per minute ratio better than it looks
After his 21 goals in 42 games for Anderlecht – his fourth and final loan away from City – Wolfsburg pounced. Over the last four years, he has scored 19 goals in 85 games for the Bundesliga outfit.
It doesn’t sound particularly convincing. However, Nmecha has only managed 3860 minutes – meaning he has missed almost 4000 minutes of the 85 games played. He has a goal involvement rate of 167 minutes.
Brother’s career and similarities, currently at Dortmund
Interestingly, Nmecha is not the only one of his family members to be plying their trade right at the top of the Bundesliga. Younger brother Felix Nmecha is currently turning out for Dortmund at the moment.
Felix, 24, has trodden the same path as older brother Lukas – coming through at City, impressing at Wolfsburg, winning Germany caps. But in the summer of 2023, Felix joined Dortmund for a £25m figure.
European Championships U21 Golden Boot winner in 2021
Having represented England from U16 to U21 level, Nmecha had a change of heart and decided to play for Germany. He played 20 times for the 21’s and scored 12 goals, including four at U21 Euro’s in 2021.
Germany won the competition with Nmecha not only scoring the winner in the final against Portugal, but netting four goals throughout the competition. More than any other player, with four others on three.
