Leipzig lends out Chelsea talent for a year

RB Leipzig lends defensive talent Ethan Ampadu for the coming season from FC Chelsea. This was officially announced by both clubs on Monday afternoon. RB obviously does not have a call option.

The 18-year-old, who is mainly used in central defence, will be given the back number 26 by the Saxons. “I’m very happy to be with RB Leipzig now and to start the season with the team. I want to get to know the team as quickly as possible and integrate myself,” says the Welsh man.

Ampadu, who has already played eight caps for Wales, moved from Exeter City to Chelsea in 2017. He has not been able to establish himself in the first team of the Blues so far and has only played a total of twelve compulsory games for Chelsea’s pros. Last season he did not play in the Premier League, but only three times in the Europa League and two times in the FA Cup.

“Despite many English offers, Ethan has decided to take the step towards us and we now have another top talent in our ranks that can be used in many different ways and thus offers our squad even more variation possibilities,” said Leipzig’s Sports Director Markus Krösche.

Chelsea’s new coach Frank Lampard, however, revealed that he was looking to hire Ampadu from Derby County last season, but also stressed the sense of handing him over for the time being: “Given the few minutes he had last year, it’s in the interests of Ethan and Chelsea to have him collect a lot of games elsewhere.