RB Leipzig loan Atlético Madrid's Arthur Vermeeren
RB Leipzig have completed the season-long loan signing of Atlético Madrid midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, with an option to buy.
Vermeeren, 19, who has already won four caps for the senior Belgium national team, inherits the Leipzig No.18 shirt previously worn by Christopher Nkunku, now of Chelsea.
"We're delighted that such a talented young player, coveted by so many other teams, has joined the club," said Leipzig's managing director for sports, Marcel Schäfer.
"We've followed him closely in recent years. He made his pro debut in Belgium at 17, then became a key player in the Royal Antwerp midfield, helping them win the league title, cup and Supercup.
"Despite his young age, he's already a Belgium international and was in their Euro 2024 squad. The signing once again shows that Leipzig is a top destination for talented youngsters."
Vermeeren certainly fits that bracket after an 18-month breakout stint at boyhood club Royal Antwerp comprising 66 first-team appearances, as well as the aforementioned trio of domestic trophies. He made his Belgium debut in the latter part of 2023, before securing a move to Atléti in the new year. Although the central midfielder was restricted to just five La Liga appearances during the second half of 2023/24, he still earned a ticket to the Euros in Germany, albeit appearing only as an unused substitute.
"I'm very happy about my move to RB Leipzig - to a club that has managed to become one of the top clubs in the UEFA Champions League and the Bundesliga in a very short space of time. RB Leipzig have an excellent reputation in European football as a place where young players can develop at the highest level," Vermeeren said.
"In Loïs Openda and Maarten Vandevoordt, there are two guys at Leipzig who I know well. There are also a lot of French-speaking players in the team. That will make integration easier for me. I'm really looking forward to being on the pitch with the team, learning from the many outstanding players and ultimately helping to ensure that we maximise our success this season."
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Vermeeren could make his Bundesliga debut as early as 31 August, when Leipzig visit defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Marco Rose's team - who beat Bochum 1-0 on Matchday 1 - are also through to the DFB Cup second round, and begin their UEFA Champions League campaign in September.
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