Official | Peter Gulacsi leaves German football after 11-year RB Leipzig eraPeter Gulacsis lengthy association with German football has officially concluded after the veteran goalkeeper completed a transfer from RB Leipzig to Villarreal. The Hungarian international spent 11 seasons with the German Red Bulls, representing RB in both the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.The 36-year-old has signed a contract with the Champions League participants through 2028. Get German Football News reported last week that Gulcsis move to Spain was taking shape before Fabrizio Romano subsequently indicated that Villarreal would pay Leipzig approximately 2m.Gulcsi departs after 11 years, 362 competitive appearances, and two DFB-Pokal titles with the Saxon club. His 269 Bundesliga appearances make him one of the defining players in Leipzigs brief top-flight history.The 58-time Hungarian international is expected to compete with Luiz Jnior for Villarreals starting position. The Spanish club finished third in La Liga last season and will offer Gulcsi another opportunity to play Champions League football.Gulacsi accompanied Leipzig from 2. Bundesliga to Champions LeagueGulacsi joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2015, while the club still competed in Germanys second division.Initially required to work behind Fabio Coltorti, the Budapest native claimed the starting position during the second half of the promotion campaign. Leipzig reached the Bundesliga in 2016, and Gulacsi subsequently established himself as the clubs undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.The Hungarian helped Leipzig qualify regularly for European competition and featured during the clubs run to the 2019/20 Champions League semi-finals. He later lifted the DFB-Pokal in both 2022 and 2023.Gulacsis Leipzig career nevertheless contained a major interruption. An anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered against Celtic in October 2022 kept him out for almost one year.Gulacsi temporarily lost his regular place and was linked with a move to Major League Soccer. He still completed his recovery, reclaimed Leipzigs starting role, and ultimately remained while Blaswich was sold to Bayer Leverkusen.Gulacsi overcame further competition and injury concernsGulacsi entered last season facing another succession battle. Highly rated Belgian goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt had been recruited as Leipzigs long-term number one.Ole Werner nevertheless confirmed in August that Gulcsi had retained the Bundesliga starting position following a close preseason competition.The veteran continued to demonstrate his value, though his final years in Germany also featured difficult moments. A serious aerial collision with Holstein Kiel defender David Zec left Gulcsi briefly unconscious and requiring hospital treatment in April 2025. Get German Football News covered the concussion and subsequent medical updates.By the winter of 2025/26, Gulcsi remained Leipzigs first choice despite several costly errors, as noted in GGFNs January transfer primer.Leipzig even extended Gulcsis contract through 2027 in February. Vandevoordt eventually displaced him in April, however, completing the succession plan that had been in development for several years.Gulcsi returned for what proved to be a farewell appearance on the final Bundesliga matchday. His move allows him to pursue regular football elsewhere rather than remain as Vandevoordts deputy.Statements on Peter Gulacsis departureRB Leipzig was never just a club for me, Gulacsi said. Leipzig became a second home for my family and me, and the people here will always have a special place in our hearts.I leave Leipzig with great gratitude, much pride, and many emotions, Gulacsi continued. RB Leipzig and this city will always remain a part of me.You could always rely on Petein major matches, during difficult periods, and in our daily work together, Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schfer added.Of course, it isnt easy for us to allow a player and person like Pete to leave, Schfer continued. At the same time, gratitude, respect, and great appreciation for an extraordinary period together prevail.GGFN|Peter Weis