LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Leipzig signed French defender Maxime Estève from relegated Premier League side Burnley on Friday.
The 24-year-old Estève signed a contract to 2031 and will wear the No. 3 jersey, the Bundesliga club announced.
Kicker magazine said Leipzig was paying 25 million euros ($28.5 million) for the center back, a fee that could rise with bonuses if certain conditions are met.
“He has many of the qualities we were looking for in this position – height, athleticism, a strong left foot, confidence in possession and the ability to step out and defend proactively,” Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer said. “Maxime is positive in the way he plays, a tough tackler, vocal and brings a huge amount of energy to the pitch. He is also a natural leader.”
Estève is the first direct signing for the energy-drink manufacturer-backed club since Martin Demichelis was appointed coach as the fired Ole Werner ’s replacement.
Midfielder Brajan Gruda is staying with Leipzig for another season on loan from Brighton with the option of making the move permanent for a reported fee of 30 million euros ($34 million).
Leipzig had already announced the signing of midfielder Rocco Reitz from Bundesliga rival Borussia Mönchengladbach in March.
Ivory Coast teenager Yan Diomande said last month he expects to leave Leipzig, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly his most likely destination.
Schäfer has said the 19-year-old Diomande will play next season at Leipzig.
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FILE - Burnley's Maxime Esteve gives a thumbs up during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Burnley, in London, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland, File)
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou was picked over Wembley Stadium in London to host the 2029 Champions League final, UEFA said Tuesday.
The choice gives Barcelona a marquee game one year before Spain co-hosts the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco. Staging that final is a contest between Real Madrid’s renovated Santiago Bernabéu home and the 115,000-seat stadium being built in Casablanca.
UEFA’s executive committee also confirmed the 2028 Champions League final will return to Bayern Munich’s stadium, which was the only bidder, just three years after the 2025 edition.
The much-delayed rebuild of a 105,000-seat Camp Nou is ongoing with the upper tier and roof still under construction.
Barcelona last hosted the Champions League final in 1999, when Manchester United’s two stoppage-time goals stunned a dominant Bayern team.
Wembley has hosted three times since then — in 2011, 2013 and 2024 — and eight times in total since the European Cup started 71 years ago.
This season's Champions League final goes to Madrid at Atletico's Metropolitano stadium.
Record eight-time Women’s Champions League winner Lyon will host the final in 2028.
UEFA also picked Cardiff for the 2029 women’s final in the city center national stadium that will host the opening game of the men’s 2028 European Championship.
UEFA also picked hosts for two editions of the second-tier Europa League: Romania’s national stadium in Bucharest in 2028 and the new Serbian national venue in Belgrade for 2029.
The final this season is at Eintracht Frankfurt’s Waldstadium home.
Turin will get the 2028 final of the third-tier men's club competition at Juventus’ stadium. The 2029 final will be at the 67,000-seat Puskás Aréna in Budapest, which hosted the Champions League final in May.
The success of the Conference League since launching in 2021 has seen its finals venues outgrow the 20,000-seat venues for the first two title matches held in Tirana, Albania and Czech capital Prague.
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Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer between Barcelona and Feyenoord in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
