BERLIN, July 18 — RB Leipzig has signed French center-back Maxime Esteve from English Championship club Burnley on a contract until 2031.
The Bundesliga club announced the move on Friday, aiming to strengthen its defense ahead of the new season. The 24-year-old will wear the No. 3 and joins fellow new arrivals Abdoul Kone and Rocco Reitz. Leipzig sporting chief Marcel Schafer described the arrival as an important move and praised Esteve’s development in France and England. “He brings many of the qualities we were looking for in this position: height, athleticism, a strong left foot, courage in building play and the ability to defend proactively,” Schafer said. Esteve said Leipzig’s playing philosophy and ambitions had convinced him to make the move. “The club stands for intense, courageous football, development and great ambition. That suits me very well,” he said.
The left-footed defender came through Montpellier’s academy and made his Ligue 1 debut in August 2021. He went on to make 59 French top-flight appearances before joining Burnley on loan in February 2024. Esteve quickly established himself in England, making 16 Premier League appearances during the second half of the 2023-24 campaign. After his move became permanent, he played all 46 league matches in Burnley’s 2024-25 Championship season.
Burnley kept 30 clean sheets, conceded only 16 goals and secured promotion with 100 points, with Esteve earning selection in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. He remained a regular following Burnley’s return to the Premier League and made 34 league appearances last season. Esteve said talks with Leipzig officials had shown him that the club had a clear plan for his development. “I am coming to Leipzig to help the team immediately, take responsibility and be successful together,” he said.
Xinhua
