Péter Gulácsi: a career shaped by patience, from Liverpool loans to RB Leipzig legend | OneFootball

Péter Gulácsi’s rise has been built on patience. At 36, the Hungary keeper is among the Bundesliga’s best and an RB Leipzig legend.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he now appears likely to end his 11-season stay at Leipzig to join Villarreal. If completed, the move would pit him against Luiz Júnior for the gloves in a side returning to the Champions League.

Liverpool took him in 2007 at 17 from MTK Budapest, first on loan then permanently a year later. Minutes came via Hereford United in the third tier, where sessions sometimes took place on public pitches and he faced around 20 shots a game.

Spells at Tranmere Rovers and, in 2011/12, Hull City followed. Back at Anfield he never played a senior match, despite frequent inclusion in Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup squads. In 2013 he moved to Salzburg, winning two leagues and two cups, before joining Leipzig.

He won promotion in his first Leipzig season and became first choice. The club then lifted two consecutive German Cups and a Supercup, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and Europa League. A knee injury in October 2022 sidelined him for the 2023 trophies, but he returned after a long recovery to reclaim his place and form.

For Hungary he earned 58 caps before retiring in May 2025. He played at Euro 2016, Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, starting the last two, and was a mainstay as the team returned to major tournaments.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo