RB Leipzig have signed defender Dayot Upamecano from Red Bull Salzburg on a contract until 2021.
Upamecano, 18, made 21 appearances for Salzburg in all competitions this term, and was linked with a host of other clubs including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United.
However, the Frenchman has opted to join Leipzig for a reported fee of €10 million plus add-ons, becoming the ninth player in total to leave Salzburg for their sister club. Both sides are funded by Austrian marketing and soft drink company Red Bull.
Dayot #Upamecano has signed for #DieRotenBullen from @RedBullSalzburg! The 18-year old has signed a contract until June 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣! ��⚪️ pic.twitter.com/PpMCFqrfUQ
- RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) January 13, 2017
"We are delighted that Dayot decided to join us to make the next step in his career despite several offers from international top clubs," Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick said on the club's official website. "We are convinced that Dayot can already be a reinforcement for our squad in the near future."
Rangnick added that the centre-back is "a player who fits our club and philosophy because of his age, potential and style of play," while he praised the progress Upamecano made in his 18 months at Salzburg.
Upamecano could make his first appearance for Leipzig when the second-placed Bundesliga side host Rangers in a friendly on Sunday.