Sani seals surprise Saudi move after Leipzig exit

Young Nigerian winger Suleman Sani has completed a surprise move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah following his brief spell at German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 20-year-old Nigeria youth international leaves Leipzig without making a single competitive appearance, barely eight months after joining the German club from Slovakian side AS Trenčín in January.

Reports from Sky, as cited by Bild, said the transfer could be worth up to €8m, with Sani expected to sign a three-year contract with an option for another season. The deal was completed on the final day of Saudi Arabia’s transfer window.

Sani began his senior career with Nigerian club Akwa United before moving to Europe to join Trenčín in September 2024. He quickly established himself as one of the promising young Nigerian attackers in Slovakia, recording 16 goals and seven assists in 59 competitive appearances.

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His impressive performances earned him a move to Leipzig for about €5m, with the Bundesliga club handing him a long-term contract until June 2031. However, injuries and fierce competition for attacking places prevented him from breaking into the first team.

Sani trained with Leipzig’s youth side during August and was not included in the senior matchday squad for the club’s opening Bundesliga game of the 2026/27 season, underlining his difficult path to regular football in Germany.

The move to Al-Qadsiah now offers the winger a fresh opportunity to revive his career and secure regular first-team football, while Leipzig are also set to make a reported profit from his departure despite the Nigerian failing to make a competitive appearance for the club.

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