Nigerian youngster Sani Suleiman will be part of RB Leipzig’s first-team squad next season, with the Bundesliga club having no plans to send him out on loan, Footy-Africa can exclusively reveal.
The 19-year-old winger joined Leipzig from Slovak side AS Trenčín in January on a long-term contract running until June 2031 but is yet to make his senior debut for the German club.
A source close to the player told Footy-Africa that Suleiman’s progress was initially slowed by injury and the physical demands of adapting to German football following his arrival.
However, the Nigeria youth international has now fully recovered and has been integrated into the first-team setup, where he is expected to be given opportunities to impress during the upcoming campaign.
Suleiman’s chances of breaking into the side could also be boosted by the expected departure of Yan Diomande. The highly rated 19-year-old Ivory Coast international has attracted interest from several of Europe’s top clubs, with reports linking him to Real Madrid, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Leipzig remain confident in Suleiman’s potential after securing his signature in January, handing him a contract until 30 June 2031 and the club’s number 18 shirt.
The right-footed forward arrived in Germany after an impressive spell with AS Trenčín, where he registered 16 goals and seven assists in 59 competitive appearances.
He also featured in the UEFA Youth League and enhanced his growing reputation with Nigeria at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
A regular for the Flying Eagles, Suleiman was one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the 2025 U-20 World Cup, earning praise for his creativity, attacking flair and ability to influence games in the final third.
His mentality has also impressed coaches throughout his young career, with seven Man of the Match awards in 19 appearances highlighting a player capable of thriving under pressure.
With pre-season now underway and his fitness restored, Suleiman will be hoping to establish himself in Leipzig’s first team and make his Bundesliga breakthrough during the 2026-27 season.
