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.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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)
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 14, 2026--
Qu, the intelligent commerce platform for enterprise QSR and fast-casual restaurant brands, today announced it has been ranked No. 855 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses, recognizing companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of the economy. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Oracle, and Patagonia.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260814938449/en/
“Being named to the Inc. 5000 is a powerful validation of the momentum we’ve built over the past 3 years,” said Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu. “We’ve grown by staying focused on one simple idea: enterprise scale restaurant brands deserve technology that helps them move faster, operate smarter and grow with confidence given the challenging backdrop facing the industry. This recognition belongs to our team, our customers and the partners who continue to push us to raise the bar and it gives us even more momentum as we build what’s next for restaurant technology.”
This year’s Inc. 5000 recognizes a new class of companies redefining what growth looks like. From AI and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, consumer products, and professional services, these businesses are expanding their impact, creating jobs and proving that entrepreneurial ambition continues to fuel the U.S. economy. Among the 5,000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130%, and those companies have collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years.
For the full Inc. 5000 list, honoree company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, please visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.
“Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance–it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement.”
Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2026 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 14–16 in Dallas, Texas and the top 500 will be listed in the Fall issue of Inc. Magazine. Tickets are on sale now.
Inc. 5000 List Methodology
Companies on the 2026 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2022 to 2025. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2022. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2025. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2022 is $100,000; the minimum for 2025 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.
About Qu
Qu is the intelligent commerce platform that unlocks efficiency to increase revenue for quick-service and fast-casual restaurants. Built on a unified data foundation with cloud-enhanced edge technology, Qu enables real-time decision-making, streamlines operations, and improves margins through faster, more reliable performance at every location. For more information, visit www.qubeyond.com, or follow Qu on LinkedIn.
About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
Qu has been ranked No. 855 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
