--- title: "Péter Gulácsi leaves RB Leipzig to join Villarreal; 36-year-old goalkeeper departs after 296 Bundesliga appearances." sdDatePublished: "2026-08-03T17:06:00Z" source: "https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/peter-gulacsi-leaves-rb-leipzig-to-join-villarreal-38446" topics: - name: "football" identifier: "medtop:20001065" locations: - "Leipzig" - "Spain" --- Péter Gulácsi leaves RB Leipzig to join Villarreal; 36-year-old goalkeeper departs after 296 Bundesliga appearances. Péter Gulácsi leaves RB Leipzig to join Villarreal | Bundesliga Péter Gulácsi leaves RB Leipzig to join Villarreal Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi has left RB Leipzig after 11 years to join Spanish side Villarreal. Gulácsi , 36, made 296 Bundesliga appearances and kept 96 clean sheets for Leipzig after joining the club in July 2015, ahead of their final season in Bundesliga 2. He helped the club secure promotion to the Bundesliga at the end of the 2015 16 campaign before going on to establish himself as one of the division's most consistent goalkeepers. "Saying goodbye after 11 years is incredibly difficult. RB Leipzig was never just a club to me. Leipzig has become a second home for me and my family, and the people here will always have a special place in our hearts," Gulácsi said. "I leave Leipzig feeling incredibly grateful and proud, and with so many emotions. RB Leipzig and this city will always be part of me. Thank you for everything! Einmal Leipzig, immer Leipzig!" Gulácsi helped Leipzig win back-to-back DFB Cups in 2021 23 and was also part of the side that reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2019 20. He departs after making 23 appearances in 2025 26 as Leipzig secured a third-place Bundesliga finish and qualification for this season's Champions League, with Maarten Vandevoordt now established as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. "Pete is undoubtedly one of the most important players in our club’s history," explained Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer. "It's not easy to say goodbye to a player and a person like Pete. More than anything, though, we are grateful for everything we achieved together and have enormous respect for what he has given this club. We wish Pete and his family all the very best for the future." Intriguing battles as Bayern face Leipzig Gulácsi, Zec on the mend after collision Xavi sparkles in victory over wasteful Dortmund 5 reasons Leipzig will beat Inter Defence best form of attack for Leipzig