Malian international Amadou Haidara has closed the chapter on RB Leipzig and will now play for French first division club RC Lens. As the Saxons announced, the midfielder will join the Ligue 1 leaders from January 1. The 27-year-old played 222 times for RB in seven years and scored 15 goals. He won the DFB Cup twice with Leipzig.
"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, while he also earned great recognition off the pitch and was an important reference person, especially for our young, French-speaking players," said RB Sport managing director Marcel Schäfer in a club statement.
Haidara was no longer part of coach Ole Werner's regular staff. "I am very grateful for this intensive, 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 them from the bottom of my heart," said the midfielder. He is currently playing for the Malian national team at the Africa Cup.
