Bundesliga Transfer News: Leipzig signs Bakayoko, Maksimovic and Diomanda, all on the same day alone


Leipzig has delivered a declaration of intent for the new Bundesliga season by the Belgian winger Johan Bakayoko, Serbia -Middender Andrija Maksimović, and ivory Coast Youth International Yan Diomande, all on the same day.

The arrival of the 22-year-old Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven was the last of the three announced by Leipzig on Wednesday, after that of the 18-year-old Maksimović of Red Star Belgrade and Diomande, also 18, of the Spanish Second-Division team Leganés.

All three players have signed deals up to and including June 2030, said the Bundesliga club.

Bakayoko, who had also been a target for Bayer Leverkusen, will wear the number 9 at Leipzig.

«We have had Johan Bakayoko on our radar for a few years now and have tried to sign him time and time again,» said Leipzig -Sports director Marcel Schäfer. «We are even happier that he has chosen to join Leipzig, despite the fact that many teams compete for his signature.»

Bakayoko has helped PSV to back-to-back Dutch League titles back-to-back with nine goals in 30 league games last season, and 12 in 33 the season before.

«With his strength, explosiveness, pace and eye for goal, he will improve our game through the right wing and has his strengths both on and off the ball,» said Schäfer.

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Maksimović made his professional debut at the age of 16 in Serbia, then his Champions League debut and Serbia a year later. He has already played eight games for the national team.

«We closely followed his progress during his first season at senior level and are convinced that he is already ready to take the next step,» said Schäfer about Maksimović.

Diomande only spent one season in Leganés after moving from the Florida -based club as Frenzi. He made his competition debut against Real Madrid and scored two goals in 10 LA Liga performances for Leganés, which was banned at the end of the season.

«He is a left -wing player with excellent pace, strong dribbling, athletics and a real eye for goal. Moreover, he never gives up a ball and plays with a great team spirit. With these qualities he fits perfectly in the kind of football that we want to play this season,» said Schäfer.

Leipzig missed the European qualification last season and will focus on a top-four finish in the Bundesliga to reach the Lucrative Champions League.

Yussuf Poulsen, who became a member of Leipzig when it was still in the German third division in 2013, left for promoted Hamburger SV. Other players, including Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda, are also candidates to leave.



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