Official | Maxime Esteve joins RB Leipzig from Burnley | OneFootball

Red Bull Leipzig have signed French defender Maxime Esteve (24) on a permanent deal from Burnley, it was confirmed on Friday.

The former Montpellier HSC defender has joined the Bundesliga giants for a reported fee of €25m. He has signed a five-year deal that will run until the summer of 2031. 

The former France youth international leaves Burnley after two-and-a-half years at Turf Moor. He initially joined on loan from formative club Montpellier, before making the move permanent following the club’s relegation to the EFL Championship. Esteve was a rock at the back as Burnley registered league-best defensive statistics and returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking. 

The Frenchman was an ever-present last season, too, playing 36 games in all competitions, including 34 in the Premier League. However, he could not prevent Burnley from making an immediate return to the Championship. This time, he will not make the drop with them and will instead play his football in Germany with RB Leipzig.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle