Lens confirm signing of Amadou Haidara from Leipzig

RC Lens have confirmed the signing of midfielder Amadou Haidara from RB Leipzig. 

The 27-year-old Mali international, currently in Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations, has joined the Ligue 1 leaders in a €3m (£2.6m) deal almost seven years to the day after joining Leipzig in December 2018.

Haidara, who scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists across  222 competitive appearances for the Bundesliga side, will officially become a Lens player on 1 January.

Amadou Haidara grateful for ‘intense, successful and emotional time in Leipzig’

“I’m incredibly grateful for this intense, successful and emotional time in Leipzig,” said Haidara, who won the German Cup twice and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League during his time at the Red Bull Arena. 

“From my very first day, I felt the great appreciation of the club and the fans – and I want to thank them sincerely for that. RB Leipzig has become a second family to me. The two cup wins and the shared successes with our fans will always stay with me. It’s been a wonderful journey – but now the time has come to begin a new chapter in my career.”

Before this season, Haidara was a fixture in central midfield for the Red Bull club. He made 40 appearances across all competitions last season, but has not played a minute for the club since Ole Werner took up the reins as manager this summer. 

‘Doudou was a hugely important player for RB Leipzig over many years’

Haidara’s influence, ability and commitment were hailed by Marcel Schäfer, Leipzig’s managing director for sport.

“Doudou was a hugely important player for RB Leipzig over many years,” said Schäfer. “On the pitch, he gave our midfield structure with his football intelligence and his strength in the tackle. At the same time, he earned great respect away from the pitch and was an important player in the dressing room, especially for our young, French-speaking players. 

“Over the past six months, which were not easy for him personally, he once again showed his impeccable character. He never let his standards drop and always conducted himself in an exemplary manner. We therefore wish him every success, both on and off the pitch, at the Africa Cup of Nations and in the next step of his career with RC Lens.”

Born in the Malian capital Bamako, Haidara took his first steps in the game there, at the Jean-Marc Guillou Academy before joining Red Bull Salzburg in 2016. He joined Leipzig two and a half years later, meaning his move to the French top flight will mark his first experience of professional football outside the Red Bull group.

Haidara, whose move to Lens has been anticipated for several weeks, will provide competition and cover in Lens’ central midfield, where Mamadou Sangaré, Andrija Bulatovic and the more attack-minded Adrien Thomasson have all operated this season. The club, whose next match will be at Toulouse on Friday 2 January, currently sits a point clear at the top of Ligue 1, just ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, who have a game in hand.

Haidara hailed as ‘one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga’

“We are delighted to end 2025 with the arrival of Amadou, a talented midfielder with extensive experience at both club and international level,” said Lens sporting director Jean-Louis Leca. “Amadou established himself at Leipzig as one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga, and his technical ability, forward runs, and ball-winning skills are now recognised throughout Europe. 

“Throughout our discussions, he demonstrated his strong motivation to join our project, and I would like to thank him and his entourage for the quality of our discussions. 

“Amadou is a man of principle, very attached to his family, which are two important aspects for us. Following in the footsteps of Seydou Keita, Massadio Haïdara, Cheick Doucouré, and Mamadou Sangaré, he continues the beautiful history between Mali and RC Lens. 

“Like Mamadou, the entire club will be behind him during the Africa Cup of Nations and will be delighted to welcome him back in January.”