RB Leipzig has once again opted to send Ilaix Kourouma Moriba out on loan, this time to Spanish side Celta Vigo.
The 21-year-old Guinean international, who returned to Leipzig this summer after a loan spell at Getafe, will spend the upcoming season in Galicia.
The loan agreement includes an option for Celta Vigo to make the transfer permanent if Moriba’s performances meet expectations.
Moriba’s brief stint at Getafe last season saw him make 14 appearances in La Liga, starting in eight matches and providing two assists.
Despite showing glimpses of his potential, Leipzig has decided that another season in Spain would be beneficial for his development.
The decision to loan him to Celta Vigo, who finished 13th in La Liga last season, just behind Getafe, indicates Leipzig’s strategy to ensure Moriba gains regular playing time in a competitive environment.
“RC Celta now has the piece that completes its midfield,” read a statement from the Galician club.
“The light blue midfielder finds quality, trajectory, and solidity with the arrival of Ilaix Moriba, loaned with an option to buy by RB Leipzig until the end of the season.”
This marks the third time Moriba has been loaned out by Leipzig since his transfer from Barcelona’s reserve team in the summer of 2021.
Initially heralded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, Moriba has struggled to find his footing at Leipzig, making just six appearances for the German club between August 2021 and January 2022.
His first loan spell saw him move to Valencia in the winter of 2022, followed by his recent stint at Getafe.
Despite his early promise and being tagged as a future star upon his departure from Barcelona, Moriba’s career trajectory has not yet lived up to the high expectations.
Nevertheless, he remains a young player with significant potential, and Leipzig is hopeful that regular playing time at Celta Vigo will help him rediscover his form.
Moriba’s move to Celta Vigo offers a fresh opportunity to establish himself and make a lasting impact in La Liga.
With the Spanish club keen to strengthen their midfield, Moriba’s versatility and talent could prove to be a valuable addition.
As the season progresses, both Leipzig and Celta Vigo will be closely monitoring his development, hoping that this loan spell will be the turning point in Moriba’s career, allowing him to fulfill the promise he showed in his early days at Barcelona.
𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 📣 ¡Ilaix Moriba, nuevo jugador del #RCCelta!
🇬🇳 El centrocampista internacional por Guinea llega a Vigo cedido desde el @RBLeipzig.
👋 ¡Bienvenido, @IlaixMK! #BenvidoIlaix pic.twitter.com/bM8kdGekKB
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) August 7, 2024
