RB Leipzig have signed Loïs Openda (23) from Ligue 1 side RC Lens. The striker has put pen to paper on a five-year deal until June 2028 and will wear the number 17 shirt.
Welcome to Leipzig, Loïs!
Max Eberl, RBL board member for sport:
- “We’re delighted that we have been able to sign a player that was high on our list of transfer targets in Loïs Openda.There was a lot of speculation in recent days about this transfer and whether or not we would be able to reach an agreement. Our talks with Lens were held on equal footing and were constructive, but tough. In the end, we managed to find a solution that we feel is fair for all those involved.
The transfer fee did not exceed the limits we had set for ourselves and if there are any performance-based bonuses that enter into effect, then this just goes to show that both we and the player have been able to celebrate success on the pitch that corresponds to our wishes and ambitions.
We reached an agreement with the player and the club at the end of last week, but wanted to respect Lens’ request that we wait to announce it until a later date. That day has finally come and we are pleased to now be able to welcome Loïs to RB Leipzig.
Loïs is a very direct player, who always looks to attack the goal, whether as a centre forward or on the wings. In addition to his pace, his ability to score goals with both feet and his head only adds to the quality he brings. At just 23 years of age, he still has plenty of potential to grow and he will only get better over the coming years with us. Our fans can look forward to a very special player!”
Loïs Openda:
- “I’m very happy to have joined RB Leipzig. The club are amongst the top teams in the Bundesliga, compete regularly in the Champions League and have won the cup in back-to-back seasons. It’s an incredibly exciting club and I want to take my next steps at Leipzig.
RB Leipzig have a clearly defined and attacking-oriented style of play, which fits perfectly to me as a striker. I’m looking forward to getting to know the team, the city and the fans, and cannot wait to finally get started. I’m joining a club with a top-tier set-up and a team with a lot of potential. I now want to do my part to help us build on the previous successes and achieve more.”
From Bruges to Arnhem, Lens and now Leipzig
Loïs Openda played for Standard Liège and Club Brugge in his youth, among others, making his professional debut for Brugge in 2018. He made his UEFA Champions League debut that same year, winning the Belgian league the following season.
He moved to Vitesse in 2020, scoring 10 goals in his first season in the Eredivisie, before netting 18 times in 2021/22. He enjoyed his most prolific season in European football with Vitesse, scoring four times and providing two assists in 11 UEFA Conference League matches.
The striker then moved to RC Lens in summer 2022. Openda scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season, helping Lens to a second-place finish as the club successfully qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2002.
9 caps for Belgium and 1 appearance at the World Cup
Openda took part in the U21 European Championship in June 2023, but was knocked out in the group stages with Belgium U21s.
He has made his waythrough the ranks of Belgium’s youth teams and made his senior debut on 8th June 2022.He scored his first goal for the side just eight minutes after coming on in a 6-1 win over Poland in the UEFA Nations League. He has been capped nine times so far for his country.
Openda was part of Belgium’s squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, featuring for 12 minutes against Canada in the group stages.
Loïs Openda’s first day at RB Leipzig
Profile:
- Name: Loïs Openda
- Number: 17
- Position: Striker
- Preferred foot: Right
- Date of birth: 16th February 2000
- Place of birth: Liège (Belgium)
- Age: 23
- Nationality: Belgian
- Height: 1.77m
Previous clubs:
- from 07/2023: RB Leipzig
- 07/2022 bis 07/2023: RC Lens
- 07/2020 bis 06/2022: Vitesse
- 07/2018 bis 07/2020: Club Brugge
- Youth clubs:
Patro Othee FC, RFC Liège, Standard Liège, Club Brugge
Statistics:
- Ligue 1 (France):
38 games | 21 goals | 4 assists - Eredivisie (Netherlands):
66 games | 28 goals | 6 assists - Jupiler Pro League (Belgium):
29 games | 1 goals | 1 assist - UEFA Champions League incl. qualifiers:
12 games | 1 goals | 2 assists - UEFA Europa League:
2 games - UEFA Conference League incl. qualifiers:
11 games | 4 goals | 2 assists
- Belgium (senior side):
9 games | 2 goals