After seven years
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After seven years, Amadou Haidara is leaving RB Leipzig. The 27-year-old central midfielder is moving to Ligue 1 for RC Lens. Haidara, who is currently with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, has not played a role for the Red Bulls so far this season and has not yet played a game. With Lens, where he signed until 2029, he goes to the current table first in France.
Haidara’s working paper in Leipzig would originally have expired in the summer. Now a small transfer fee is due, which according to “Sky” should be in the range of one million to 1.5 million euros. Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, on the other hand, talks about 3 million euros, which includes bonuses. The midfielder, for whom the Saxons once paid 19 million euros, is leaving the club after 222 games, making him one of the top 10 record players.
“Doudou was a very important player for RB Leipzig for many years. On the pitch he gave our midfield a lot of structure with his intelligence and his strength in tackling. At the same time, he also earned great recognition off the pitch and was an important reference person, especially for our young, French-speaking players. In the last six months, which was not easy for him personally, he once again demonstrated his impeccable character, never let himself down and behaved in an exemplary manner. So we wish him for the future “African Cup and his next step at RC Lens will, of course, bring maximum success, both sportingly and personally,” said sports director Marcel Schäfer.
Haidara explained: “I am very grateful for this intense, successful and emotional time in Leipzig. Since my first day I have felt the great appreciation of the club and the fans – I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. RB Leipzig has become a second family for me. I will always remember the two cup wins and the shared successes with our fans. It was a wonderful journey – but now the right moment has come to start a new chapter in my career.”