Christopher Nkunku has returned to RB Leipzig on a season-long loan from AC Milan, prompting a look back at his excellent first spell at the Bundesliga club. The 28-year-old was a key figure for Die Roten Bullen between 2019 and 2023. This account of his initial tenure was first reported by www.bundesliga.com.
RB Leipzig finished the 2025 season in fourth place with 56 points. The team scored 56 goals and conceded 36, resulting in a +20 goal difference. They ended the title race 20 points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The next fixture is a home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 29 August 2026.
What did Christopher Nkunku achieve at Leipzig?
Christopher Nkunku joined RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2019. Over four Bundesliga seasons, the attacker amassed 47 goals and 43 assists. His output was central to the club achieving a runners-up finish, a UEFA Champions League semi-final berth, and two consecutive DFB Cup triumphs. He marked his Bundesliga debut with a goal in a 4-0 win over Union Berlin. That first campaign yielded five goals and 13 assists, including four assists in a single match against Schalke.
In his second season, he contributed six goals and six assists in 28 league appearances, helping the team secure another second-place finish behind Bayern. The 2021/22 campaign was his true breakout. Nkunku scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions. He earned the Bundesliga Player of the Season award and was a Ballon d'Or nominee in 2022. In the Champions League, he made history by becoming the first Leipzig player to score a hat-trick, doing so against Manchester City.
How did Nkunku shape the big moments?
Christopher Nkunku consistently delivered in crucial matches. He scored a free-kick against Hertha Berlin and found the net against Bayern Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bochum, and Borussia Dortmund. His most significant contribution to the club's first major silverware came in the 2022 DFB Cup final against Freiburg. Nkunku scored a second-half equaliser and calmly converted his penalty in the shoot-out. "I think what I do on the pitch at Leipzig has enabled me to be part of the French national team," Nkunku said. He made his France debut in March 2022 and now has 18 caps and two goals.
His final season at Leipzig was disrupted by a knee issue, yet he still scored 16 Bundesliga goals. That tally saw him finish joint-top of the scoring charts with Werder Bremen's Niclas Füllkrug, making him the first-ever Leipzig player to win the Torjägerkanone. In his last appearance for the club, the 2023 DFB Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt, he contributed a goal and an assist to secure a second successive cup win. He departed with a total of 70 goals and 56 assists in 172 competitive appearances.
What happened after he left Leipzig?
In June 2023, Christopher Nkunku completed a transfer to Chelsea. His time in London was plagued by injuries. At the start of the 2025/26 season, he moved on to AC Milan, where he scored seven goals in 32 league appearances. He has now returned to RB Leipzig on loan for this season. "My connection to RB Leipzig is very special. Even after leaving the club, I continued to keep a close eye on what was happening here," the player stated.
What does the return mean for RB Leipzig?
The return of such a prolific attacker is a boost for RB Leipzig's offensive options. The club aims to challenge at the top again this season and has regained a proven goalscorer and creator. The current league standings and upcoming fixtures, including the home game against Gladbach, can be checked on our standings page. Last season's team statistics are available on the stats page. Nkunku's experience and familiarity with the club could prove decisive in the key moments of the campaign ahead.
