Dayot Upamecano signed a new contract with RB Leipzig today. The defender will now remain at the club until 2023.
Leipzig confirmed the news via their social media channels earlier today. The club also released a video of the 21-year-old to confirm the signing.
Dayot Upamecano Signs New Contract at RB Leipzig
Upamecano Commits Future to Leipzig
Upamecano’s previous contract was due to expire in 2021. The 21-year-old was receiving interest from other clubs but the extended contract will now see him remain at the Bundesliga club for the foreseeable future.
German news outlet Bild report that the Frenchman’s new contract contains a €50 million release clause. Bild also explained how both fellow German club Bayern Munich and Premier League side Arsenal showed interest in signing Upamecano.
Upamecano ‘Extremely Important’
Prior to confirmation of his new contract, managing director of RB Leipzig Oliver Mintzlaff expressed the club’s desire not to allow the defender to go cheaply.
Speaking to Bild in June, Mintzlaff said: “Upa’ is an extremely important player for us and one of the most sought-after talents in Europe.
“And we can assure that we have a clear understanding with him and his agent he won’t leave us on a free. We can’t afford that as a club.
“There are only two options: prolong or leave. I am sure we’ll soon find out in which direction it’s going.”
Upamecano’s Impressive First Season
Despite missing the opening of the Bundesliga season for Leipzig through injury, Upamecano became a central figure under manager Julian Nagelsmann this season.
The 21-year-old played 36 games for Leipzig in all competitions. He has been key to the side’s Champions League campaign, starting six games and helping the side to reach the quarter-finals of the competition. He also made 28 Bundesliga appearances this season, making two assists.
Following his £9 million move from Austrian side RB Salzburg in January 2017, the Frenchman featured heavily for Leipzig. He since made over 100 appearances for the Bundesliga team.
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