German club RB Leipzig completed the signing of Nigerian U-20 international Sani Suleiman from AS Trencin earlier in the transfer window.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign with Akwa United in the 2023-24 Nigerian Premier Football League and deservedly made the jump abroad to Slovakia, but has departed less than two years after he joined the club.
The Red Bull club paid a total of about €6.5 million plus add-ons to secure the services of the Nigerian youngster, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his career and scored five times from 34 appearances before his departure. The sale is the most expensive in AS Trencin’s history and the fourth most expensive departure from the Slovakian league.
Suleiman signed a five-and-a-half year deal at the club, potentially keeping him in Germany until 2031 and will wear the number 18 shirt. His versatility will help him adapt easily to the demands of the Bundesliga as he can operate primarily on the left-wing and is also comfortable playing in the midfield and on the right flanks.
‘Not a surprise’: Sani Suleiman representatives on his move to RB Leipzig
Transfer fee and contract details
RB Leipzig paid a total €6.5 million fee, which includes an initial €5 million plus the rests in performances and appearances related add-ons to sign the youngster this month.
The German club beat stiff competition from the likes of Villareal, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund and English club Brentford, who were the first club to submit a bid to AS Trencin.
Salary breakdown
The Nigerian prodigy will earn around €8.000 per week at the German club, taking his total earnings to about €32,000 per week and €416,000 per year. The 19-year-old could earn around €2.9 million over the course of his five-and-a-half year contract at the club.
RB Leipzig’s total investments in signing the youngster from AS Trencin could surpass €9 million, which is a bargain given his age and huge potential.
Sani Suleiman on the way to Germany for RB Leipzig medical, deal agreed
From Slovakia to Germany
Sani Suleiman first made a name for himself in Nigeria before earning a move to Slovakia, where he caught the eyes of top European clubs with a series of impressive performances during his short stint at AS Trencin.
The 19-year-old embarks on a new chapter in his career and he arrives in Germany with huge potential and expectations to grow into one of Nigeria’s biggest stars in Europe in the future.
