A few years ago, it seemed unlikely that he would move to Leeds United for the summer. Isaac Schmidt, a summer acquisition for Leeds United, acknowledges that he nearly gave up on his football career before a “miracle” kept him going.
After a stellar three years at FC St Gallen, where the adaptable defender often returned goals and assists while playing a variety of roles, Schmidt earned his £2.5 million move to Elland Road this summer.
During that time, the 24-year-old’s reputation has improved, but it came from a low point in his career when he was on the verge of quitting professional football due to personal uncertainties.
Having progressed through FC Lausanne-Sport’s youth, Schmidt was elevated to the first team at the age of 19, but he was unimpressed and doubted his capacity to play at the greatest level.
He only saw an opportunity to play slenior football when St Gallen unexpectedly showed interest, and he took it.
Three years ago, there was a moment where I was between going out of professional football completely or going to the third or fourth division,” Schmidt told Leeds Live. “I had a miracle that St Gallen saw me for a few games in that last year (2019/20).
“The coach saw me for one game and he told me ‘You were the best player. I don’t care if you had the injury. If we work with you hard, we can make something.’ Today, I can say he did a good choice.”
That move handed Schmidt his chance to develop while actually playing senior football and the Swiss youth international did enough to catch the eye of Elland Road recruitment chiefs.
It’s the kind of move he didn’t expect, with Swiss exports usually coming from the top-end clubs, but he is grateful regardless and insists it shows Leeds’ admiration for his talent.
“I was so happy [when Leeds came calling],” he added. “A lot of people know where I come from. I had a really difficult journey in my career, even in my youth. To have a club like Leeds to come for me was a really great achievement already. When they came, it was clear for me I have to make everything to go there.
“I was surprised because most of the time clubs like that go to look to other clubs like Young Boys, Basel, maybe Lugano or Servette, but they never come to St Gallen normally. It was even better because even if I’m not in a club that people really look at, they saw me and that’s really great. I’m always thankful to God for that.”
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