​RB Leipzig have completed the signing of French defender Maxime Esteve, 24, on a permanent basis from Burnley, with the move confirmed on Friday. The former Montpellier HSC stopper is set to join the Bundesliga giants for a reported fee of €25 million and has inked a five-year contract that will keep him at the club through the summer of 2031.
Esteve’s departure from Burnley ends a two-and-a-half-year spell at Turf Moor. He arrived at Burnley on a loan deal from his youth club Montpellier, and his impressive performances convinced the Clarets to make the move permanent after their relegation to the EFL Championship. During his time in Lancashire, Esteve established himself as a cornerstone of Burnley’s defense, contributing to one of the league’s strongest defensive records and helping the team bounce straight back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Last season, Esteve was a constant presence for Burnley, featuring in 36 matches across all competitions, with 34 of those appearances coming in the Premier League. Despite his solid form, Burnley could not prevent an immediate relegation once again after that campaign. This time, however, Esteve will not be part of the squad as they drop down a division; instead, he will ply his trade in Germany with RB Leipzig.
Esteve’s arrival adds to Leipzig’s defensive options as they continue to bolster their squad for sustained competition at the highest level. His experience in English football, combined with his Ligue 1 background and development at Montpellier, is expected to bring versatility and reliability to Leipzig’s back line. The 24-year-old defender is known for his physicality, tackling, and reading of the game, attributes that should help him adapt quickly to the demands of the Bundesliga.
As he makes the transition to German football, Esteve will aim to settle into Leipzig’s defensive system and contribute to a team that is continually seeking European qualification and domestic success. The Sevilla-born defender began his professional journey in France with Montpellier, where his performances at youth and senior levels earned him a move to Burnley, and now a new chapter begins in Germany with RB Leipzig.