Leeds United manager Daniel Farke's son seals top flight transfer: report

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Everton and Leeds United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on January 26, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) ***Local Caption*** Daniel Farke
Daniel Farke is hoping to retain Leeds' Premier League status this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Leeds and Daniel Farke may have kept their powder relatively dry this month when it comes to incoming transfers, but there appears to be movement imminent within the manager's family.

Farke's son, Luis Engelns, represents 2. Bundesliga club FC Paderborn but is now, according to reports in Germany, on the cusp of a move to a team in a higher division.

Daniel Farke son seals Bundesliga transfer

MUENSTER, GERMANY - AUGUST 08: Luis Engelns of Paderborn celebrates after scoring his teams first goal during the 2. Bundesliga match between SC Preußen Münster and SC Paderborn 07 at Preussenstadion on August 08, 2025 in Muenster, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Luis Engelns (R) celebrates scoring back in August 2025 (Image credit: Getty Images)

The player does not turn 19 until next month and could theoretically move to England, joining his father, but instead will soon be on the books of TSG Hoffenheim.

Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim sit third in the table under head coach Christian Ilzer, which is the joint-highest the team has ever finished in German football. Back in 2017/18, Hoffenheim were led by current Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, finishing third behind Bayern Munich and Schalke 04.

According to Sky Sport Germany, Engelns' move to Hoffenheim is a 'done deal' following the completion of a successful medical.

Leeds boss Farke has only once before commented on his son's footballing connection, at the time of Engelns' breakthrough into the Paderborn team at the end of 2024.

"They are pretty surprising me, [they're] in a really good position, and obviously it's my home city," Farke said.

"My fingers are crossed for them as well."

The team are in a title race for the second season running, currently three points off Schalke in top spot.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke considers Illan Meslier his third choice goalkeeper

Leeds boss Daniel Farke (Image credit: Getty Images)

Leeds, meanwhile, are hoping to remain in English football's top tier this season. Farke has added Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion this month, although that appears it will be the Whites' only addition.

Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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