RB Leipzig have announced the contract extension of 21-year-old central-defender Dayot Upamecano on a contract until 2023.
“We are obviously pleased that Dayot Upamecano has signed an early contract extension. Dayot has become a top defender at RB Leipzig over the past few years and can still develop at the age of 21. It’s great that he will continue to grow as a player here with us,” said sporting director Markus Krösche.
“We have managed to retain the services of one of our most important players, who is a key figure for the club and also plays the way we want to as a team.”
The Frenchman had a contract with the Bundesliga club until 2021 and would have been free to negotiate with foreign clubs on a pre-contract in January.
Arsenal had shown significant interest in signing Upamecano but with a new contract, RB Leipzig can now negotiate a large fee should the defender leave in the future.
“I feel right at home here in Leipzig – the overall package is perfect,” said Upamecano. “We had good conversations with Oliver Mintzlaff, Markus Krösche and Julian Nagelsmann, which showed to me that extending my contract was the right decision to make.
“Our young and hungry team is part of an ambitious club. I want to take the next step with Leipzig and reach our aims, because I’m convinced by the way we play our football.”
