Nico Elvedi's Debut for Leeds United: A Promising Start

Nico Elvedi walked out for his Leeds United debut with 11 years of Borussia Mönchengladbach on his back and a Carabao Cup tie in front of him. Ninety minutes and a win over Nottingham Forest later, the Swiss defender sounded exactly like a man who knows he has chosen the right next step.

"It was great. I'm proud of this team after that performance. We deserved this win," he said after the second-round victory, quick to nod to the hosts as well. "But it was a very strong performance from the home team as well. I'm happy we are going through to the next stage."

This was no gentle introduction. Elvedi was thrown straight into a physical duel with Chris Wood, a striker who relishes that kind of battle. The new signing did not hide from it, or from an honest assessment of himself.

"My performance was OK. I had a hard battle with Chris Wood which wasn't easy," he admitted. "I like it when the player I'm marking is strong, and I think I did well. There are still things for me to improve but, for my first game of the season, it was OK."

If there were any doubts about how quickly he would settle, Elvedi brushed them aside. The move from Germany to Yorkshire has been softened by the dressing room he has walked into.

"I'm so happy to be here. I have some great new team-mates, so it was very easy to come to this club," he said. "Every day is fun coming into the training sessions and playing on the pitch with these good players."

Leaving Borussia Mönchengladbach after more than a decade was never going to be simple. Elvedi did not pretend otherwise.

"It was hard because that club was my family. I had a lot of good memories there," he reflected. "But this is a new step in my career so I'm happy to be here."

One club in the rear-view mirror, a cup run and a Championship campaign ahead. Elvedi has taken his first step in Leeds colours. The real question now is how far he can help take them.