The 2025/26 season finds RB Leipzig in a state of measured evolution under the guidance of Marco Rose, now in his fourth season at the Red Bull Arena. Die Roten Bullen have firmly established themselves as Germany’s third force, consistently qualifying for the Champions League while developing some of Europe’s most exciting young talents. The club’s recruitment model, which once drew criticism for its clinical efficiency, is now widely admired across the continent. Leipzig’s pressing machine remains intact, but Rose has added layers of tactical flexibility, allowing his side to dominate possession when required or sit deep and counter with devastating speed. The summer transfer window saw the departure of several key figures, but the production line of talent continues to supply ready-made replacements. This season’s squad reflects Leipzig’s identity: young, athletic, tactically disciplined, and relentlessly intense. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Leipzig’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Péter Gulácsi
Nationality: Hungarian
Former Clubs: Red Bull Salzburg, Liverpool, Red Bull Salzburg (loan)
Transfer Fee: €3 million (2015)
Péter Gulácsi has become a true Leipzig legend, entering his 11th season at the Red Bull Arena and continuing to perform at an elite level despite his age. The 35-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25, 75% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (88% cross-claiming success) remain exceptional. Gulácsi’s distribution (89% pass completion), particularly his quick throws to initiate counters and short passes to centre-backs, suits Rose’s high-tempo transition system. Having started 28 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 11 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable after his ACL recovery in 2023. Gulácsi’s contract runs through 2027, with a coaching role likely thereafter. His performance against Bayern Munich in November 2025—making 9 saves, including a spectacular point-blank stop from Harry Kane—demonstrated his enduring quality.
2. Maarten Vandevoordt
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: KRC Genk
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2024)
Maarten Vandevoordt has begun his long-term succession plan for Gulácsi, the 24-year-old Belgian providing modern sweeper-keeper qualities, reflexes, and distribution. Vandevoordt started 10 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Gulácsi’s rest), keeping 5 clean sheets, and has impressed with his composure and footwork. His contract runs through 2029.
3. Leopold Zingerle
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Bayern Munich academy, SC Paderborn
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Leopold Zingerle has served as emergency third-choice option following his free transfer from SC Paderborn. The 31-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
Defenders
1. Castello Lukeba
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Olympique Lyonnais
Transfer Fee: €35 million (2023)
Castello Lukeba has become one of the Bundesliga’s finest centre-backs, the French U21 international providing athleticism, left-footed passing, and defensive intelligence across three seasons at Leipzig. The 23-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His left-footed passing (5.2 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) initiates attacks from deep. Lukeba’s aerial duel success (86%) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide physical presence. His partnership with Willi Orbán has conceded only 0.92 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Lukeba’s contract runs through 2029, with Leipzig rejecting January 2026 approaches from Real Madrid.
2. Willi Orbán (Captain)
Nationality: German (Hungarian-born)
Former Clubs: 1. FC Kaiserslautern, RB Leipzig
Transfer Fee: €2.5 million (2015)
Willi Orbán has become Leipzig’s captain and longest-serving current player, the German-Hungarian centre-back providing leadership, aerial dominance, and tactical organisation across 11 seasons at the club. The 33-year-old’s aerial duel success (87%) leads Leipzig’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Orbán’s tackling (2.7 per 90) and blocks (1.4 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His leadership manages Leipzig’s dressing room through vocal authority. Orbán’s contract runs through 2028, with a coaching role likely thereafter.
3. David Raum
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Greuther Fürth, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Transfer Fee: €26 million (2022)
David Raum has become Germany’s first-choice left-back, the 27-year-old providing attacking thrust, crossing, and defensive improvement across four seasons at Leipzig. Raum’s overlapping runs (4.2 per 90) and crossing (40% accuracy) created 8 assists in 2025/26, leading the team’s assist charts from full-back. His defensive positioning (2.1 interceptions per 90) and recovery pace have improved through consistent coaching. Raum’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Benjamin Henrichs
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen, AS Monaco
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2021)
Benjamin Henrichs has become Leipzig’s first-choice right-back, the German international providing versatility, defensive diligence, and tactical intelligence across five seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. Henrichs’s versatility across right-back and central midfield offers Rose tactical flexibility. Henrichs’s contract runs through 2028.
5. El Chadaille Bitshiabu
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Paris Saint-Germain
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2023)
El Chadaille Bitshiabu has developed into a reliable centre-back rotation option following patient integration, the 20-year-old Frenchman providing physicality, aerial presence, and recovery pace. Bitshiabu’s aerial duel success (85%) and tackling (2.6 per 90) provide functional cover. Bitshiabu’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Lutsharel Geertruida
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Feyenoord
Transfer Fee: €20 million (2024)
Lutsharel Geertruida has provided right-back and centre-back depth following his arrival from Feyenoord, the Dutch international offering versatility, technical quality, and tactical intelligence. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Lucas Gourna-Douath
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: AS Saint-Étienne, RB Salzburg
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2022)
Lucas Gourna-Douath has provided defensive midfield and centre-back depth following his arrival from RB Salzburg, the Frenchman offering physicality, tackling, and energy. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
8. Lukas Priebsch
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: RB Leipzig academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Lukas Priebsch has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old centre-back representing the future of Leipzig’s defensive depth.
Midfielders
1. Xavi Simons
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: PSV Eindhoven, Paris Saint-Germain (youth), RB Leipzig (loan)
Transfer Fee: €45 million (2025, permanent following loan)
Xavi Simons’s permanent signing in summer 2025, following two successful loan spells from Paris Saint-Germain, was the statement of intent Leipzig needed. The 22-year-old Dutch international has become one of Europe’s most devastating attacking midfielders, providing dribbling, creativity, and goal threat. Simons’s finishing (12 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (14 assists) provide elite production. His dribbling (4.7 successful take-ons per 90) and acceleration terrorise defenders from central and wide positions. Simons’s contract runs through 2030, with a €100 million release clause protecting Leipzig’s asset.
2. Amadou Haidara
Nationality: Malian
Former Clubs: RB Salzburg
Transfer Fee: €19 million (2019)
Amadou Haidara has become Leipzig’s midfield destroyer, the Malian international providing energy, tackling, and tactical discipline across seven seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s tackling (3.4 per 90) and interceptions (2.7 per 90) lead Leipzig’s midfield. His work rate (11.9 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.6 pressures per 90) set Rose’s standards. Haidara’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Arthur Vermeeren
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Royal Antwerp, Atlético Madrid
Transfer Fee: €25 million (2025)
Arthur Vermeeren’s summer 2025 arrival from Atlético Madrid added Belgian passing quality, tactical intelligence, and midfield security to Leipzig’s squad. The 21-year-old’s passing (5.5 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) and composure under pressure enable Leipzig to build play through midfield. Vermeeren’s contract runs through 2030.
4. Assan Ouédraogo
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Schalke 04
Transfer Fee: €12 million (2024)
Assan Ouédraogo has emerged as one of Germany’s most exciting young midfielders, the 19-year-old providing energy, ball-carrying, and creativity following his arrival from Schalke 04. Ouédraogo’s dribbling (3.8 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) suggest elite potential. Ouédraogo’s contract runs through 2030.
5. Christoph Baumgartner
Nationality: Austrian
Former Clubs: 1899 Hoffenheim
Transfer Fee: €24 million (2023)
Christoph Baumgartner has provided attacking midfield depth following his arrival from Hoffenheim, the Austrian international offering energy, pressing, and creativity. The 26-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Baumgartner’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Kevin Kampl
Nationality: Slovenian
Former Clubs: Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022, returning)
Kevin Kampl, now 35, has accepted a reduced veteran rotational role following his return to Leipzig, the Slovenian midfielder providing passing quality and experience. Kampl’s contract expires in 2027.
7. Viggo Gebel
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: RB Leipzig academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Viggo Gebel has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old midfielder representing the future of Leipzig’s midfield depth.
Forwards
1. Benjamin Šeško
Nationality: Slovenian
Former Clubs: Red Bull Salzburg
Transfer Fee: €24 million (2023)
Benjamin Šeško has become one of Europe’s most complete strikers, the Slovenian international providing finishing, physicality, and hold-up play that have justified his significant transfer fee. The 22-year-old’s finishing (19 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (29%) provide elite scoring threat. His movement off the shoulder (3.4 shots per 90, 0.58 xG per shot) terrorises defences. Šeško’s hold-up play (75% success receiving back to goal) and aerial duel success (84%) occupy defenders, creating space for Simons and wingers. Šeško’s contract runs through 2029, with Leipzig rejecting January 2026 approaches from Arsenal and Manchester United.
2. Loïs Openda
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Club Brugge, Vitesse (loan), RC Lens
Transfer Fee: €38 million (2023)
Loïs Openda has provided striking depth as Šeško’s partner and rotation option, the Belgian international providing pace, finishing, and movement across three seasons at Leipzig. The 26-year-old’s finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and acceleration (0-30 km/h in 2.5 seconds) provide consistent threat. Openda’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Antonio Nusa
Nationality: Norwegian
Former Clubs: Club Brugge
Transfer Fee: €25 million (2024)
Antonio Nusa has become Leipzig’s primary left-wing threat, the Norwegian international providing dribbling, crossing, and creativity following his arrival from Club Brugge. The 21-year-old’s dribbling (4.2 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) provide elite production from wide areas. Nusa’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Matthis Abline
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Stade Rennais
Transfer Fee: €15 million (2025)
Matthis Abline’s summer 2025 arrival from Stade Rennais added French striking depth and finishing potential to Leipzig’s attack. The 23-year-old’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Abline’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Nelson Weiper
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Mainz 05
Transfer Fee: €10 million (2024)
Nelson Weiper has provided striker depth following his arrival from Mainz 05, the German youth international offering physicality and finishing potential. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Mohamed El Amine
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: RB Leipzig academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Mohamed El Amine has been named among the substitutes in 2025/26, the 19-year-old winger representing the future of Leipzig’s attack.
7. Forzan Assan
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: RB Leipzig academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Forzan Assan has provided emergency wide depth following his graduation from Leipzig’s youth setup. The 18-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Conclusion
RB Leipzig’s 2025/26 squad represents the most complete and tactically flexible group assembled in the club’s history, a testament to Marco Rose’s coaching, the Red Bull recruitment machine’s efficiency (Simons, Lukeba, Vermeeren), and the academy’s continued production. The defence, anchored by Castello Lukeba’s French athleticism and Willi Orbán’s Hungarian leadership, provides platform for Leipzig’s high-pressing, transitional system. The midfield, dominated by Xavi Simons’s Dutch creativity and Amadou Haidara’s Malian destruction, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Benjamin Šeško’s Slovenian finishing and Antonio Nusa’s Norwegian dribbling, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Leipzig has balanced immediate competitiveness with enormous resale value; Šeško, Simons, Lukeba, and Nusa could command nine-figure fees while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves finally translating Bundesliga consistency into a genuine title challenge—Leipzig has finished runners-up multiple times but never claimed the Meisterschale—and progressing beyond the Champions League round of 16. Yet the Red Bull Arena’s growing atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Leipzig no longer surprises opponents; they are respected, studied, and feared. This squad appears equipped to deliver another Champions League qualification and perhaps more. Die Roten Bullen.
