Neil El Aynaoui explains why RB Leipzig was the right move

Neil El Aynaoui says conversations with Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari helped convince him that RB Leipzig was the right club for the next stage of his career.

The Morocco international joined RB Leipzig from Roma on loan on the final day of the summer transfer window, completing a move to the Bundesliga club at the age of 25.

Speaking to RB Leipzig’s official website for the first time since the transfer, El Aynaoui said his initial discussions with the club had made a strong impression.

“It was always my dream to play in the Bundesliga for a big club like RB Leipzig. My first conversations with the club left me with a good feeling, and I was very impressed,” he said.

El Aynaoui was born in France and developed as a player in Spain before continuing his career in France and Italy. He chose to represent Morocco at international level and featured for them at the 2026 World Cup.

The midfielder does not define himself by a single position. Instead, he believes his versatility can allow him to contribute in several roles, both in and out of possession.

That profile could suit RB Leipzig’s energetic style, which relies on physical intensity, aggressive pressing and quick transitions.

“I call myself a hybrid player. I can play in several positions in midfield. I like helping in attack and defence, and running hard for the team,” El Aynaoui said.

He will wear the number 21 shirt at RB Leipzig, a choice linked to a personal family memory. His younger brother was born on 21 August, giving the number particular significance for the new signing.

El Aynaoui also arrived in Germany already having strong connections with several Morocco team-mates who have experience of German football. Hakimi and Saibari gave him positive impressions of life in Germany, helping to persuade him that the move to Leipzig was an appropriate choice.

The relationship with Saibari is particularly close. The two players spent part of the summer together in the south of France, where football naturally featured in their conversations.

Their friendship will soon take on a competitive edge, with Saibari representing Bayern Munich and El Aynaoui now playing for RB Leipzig. The pair are therefore set to meet on the pitch when the two clubs face each other.

“Yes, we have already spoken about it. I am really looking forward to these matches,” El Aynaoui said.

The midfielder also retains a special memory from the 2026 World Cup. He considers Morocco’s victory over the Netherlands on penalties in the last 16 one of the most memorable moments of his career.

El Aynaoui’s move to RB Leipzig adds another chapter to a career shaped across several countries. After being born in France, developing in Spain and continuing through French and Italian football, he now has the opportunity to establish himself in the Bundesliga under a club whose approach appears to match his adaptable and hard-working style.