Official: Leipzig confirm €17m capture of Strasbourg defender Simakan

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:40 CDT
• 3 min read

RB Leipzig have confirmed the signing of Mohamed Simakan from Strasbourg, with the fee estimated to be around the €17 million mark.

Simakan will replace Dayot Upamecano in Leipzig’s ranks, with the centre-back having already confirmed that he will join up with Bayern Munich in the summer.

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Simakan, who is presently injured, will join up with his new side in July 2021.

“I chose to join RB Leipzig because I think the club is best for my career,” he said.

“Here, I can continue developing in the best possible way, where I will be challenged every day. I’m looking forward to the Bundesliga, to Leipzig and to meeting my teammates and fans. I spoke to a few players already while I was making my mind up and they only had good things to say. I want to integrate as quickly as possible and play my part in helping the club achieve it’s big goals.”

Meanwhile, Markus Krosche, the sporting director of RB Leipzig, said: “Mohamed Simakan is a robust, dynamic and versatile defender. He can play in central defence or at full back. At 20, Mohamed is still young and capable of developing. He has already had two seasons as a key player in Strasbourg, also picking up experience in the Europa League. We’re pleased that he has chosen to join us, despite interest from other clubs.”

Who is Mohamed Simakan?

Born in Marseille, the defender, who is primarily a centre-back but can also feature on the right of a back four or even in a holding midfield role, has played 44 first-team matches for Strasbourg, having debuted in a Europa League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa in 2019.

He has earned three caps for France Under-20s and is one of the most highly regarded young defenders in the country.

As Leipzig indicated, there were numerous teams chasing him, with AC Milan coming close to signing him in January. He had previously been linked to various Premier Leauge sides, most notably Liverpool.