RB Leipzig sign Nigeria U-20 winger Suleiman Sani

German Bundesliga club RB Leipzig has announced the signing of Nigeria U-20 national team forward Suleiman Sani from Slovakian side AS Trenčín on a long-term deal.

The Flying Eagle has landed 🦅🙌

From Naija to Slovakia to Leipzig: follow Sani’s story and get to know our new 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧 here ⏩ https://t.co/MXVPWGduPN pic.twitter.com/w6zIhWJ7yi

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) January 13, 2026

​The announcement was made on Tuesday via the club’s official social media channels, confirming that Sani will wear the number 18 jersey. The 19-year-old forward’s contract with Leipzig runs until June 30, 2031.

​Reacting to the signing of the Flying Eagles forward on the club’s website, Managing Director of Sport Marcel Schäfer expressed his delight, stating that the young talent suits the team’s profile perfectly:

“With Suleiman Sani, we have been able to sign a highly talented young winger. He has an exciting profile and all the attributes to take the next steps in his development at RB Leipzig. Suleman primarily plays on the left side, possesses great pace, is difficult to dispossess due to his physicality, and likes to make runs in behind. He also works hard off the ball and displays the right attitude.

Signing Suleiman is a move in anticipation of the summer, as the opportunity has now arisen to make his transfer permanent. With him, we will be even more versatile and have greater depth on the wings in the future. We will give Suleman all the time he needs to settle in the Bundesliga and are very much looking forward to our journey together.”

Also on his part, Suleiman added that he is eager to making a positive impact at the club.

“The move to RB Leipzig is a big step for me and makes me very proud. I am particularly impressed by the way the club develops young players, gives them confidence, and provides them with targeted support.

I am looking forward to learning every day in this highly professional environment, developing further, and giving everything for the team. The style of football played here suits me very well. I can hardly wait to make my first appearance in the RB Leipzig jersey.”

Sani recorded 16 goals and 7 assists during his time at Trenčín, having joined them from the Nigerian side Akwa United in 2024.

🇳🇬🔥 Sani Suleiman (19) is quickly emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers 👀

📍 AS Trenčín | Niké Liga 🇸🇰⁰📊 2025/26 Season:⁰⚽ 3 Goals⁰🅰️ 4 Assists⁰🏟️ 14 Games⁰⏱️ 1007 Minutes

The Nigerian U20 international is attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur,… pic.twitter.com/w6PqLICo29

— CSN Football Videos (@csnfootballvids) January 8, 2026

He was also a key part of the Flying Eagles squad at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he featured in three games and provided one assist.

A move aligned with RB Leipzig’s philosophy

Reacting to the signing, RB Leipzig’s Managing Director of Sport Marcel Schäfer expressed strong satisfaction with the acquisition, describing Sani as a perfect fit for the club’s sporting philosophy.

Schäfer highlighted the winger’s technical and physical attributes, noting his pace, strength on the ball, and ability to make intelligent runs behind defensive lines. He also emphasized Sani’s work rate and mentality, qualities that RB Leipzig highly value in young players transitioning into top-level European football.

According to Schäfer, the transfer is a strategic move made with the future in mind. Although Sani is still in the early stages of his career, Leipzig believe his versatility and attacking profile will add significant depth to their wide options in the coming seasons. The club has also made it clear that they intend to give the Nigerian youngster sufficient time to adapt to the demands of the Bundesliga, rather than rushing his development.

Suleiman Sani’s journey: From Nigeria to Europe’s elite

Suleiman Sani’s rise has been both rapid and impressive. The Flying Eagles forward joined AS Trenčín in 2024 from Nigerian club Akwa United, taking his first major step into European football. In Slovakia, he quickly adapted to the pace and physicality of the European game, becoming one of Trenčín’s standout attacking players.

During his time with the Slovak club, Sani recorded an impressive 16 goals and 7 assists across competitions, numbers that inevitably attracted attention from several European clubs. In the ongoing 2025/26 season in the Niké Liga, he has already contributed 3 goals and 4 assists in 14 appearances, despite his young age and limited experience at senior level.

Such performances placed him firmly on the radar of top scouts, with reports linking him to clubs across England and Germany. Ultimately, RB Leipzig moved decisively to secure his signature, beating off competition and offering a clear pathway for his development.