RB Leipzig have brought back goalkeeper Örjan Nyland as their second-choice keeper. The 35-year-old Norwegian signed a contract with the Bundesliga club on Tuesday.
Nyland was a free agent after his contract with Sevilla expired. At RB Leipzig, he is set to be the backup to established number one Marten Vandevoordt. Long-time first-choice keeper Peter Gulacsi moved to Villarreal in the summer. Nyland already knows the club from a previous spell between October 2022 and August 2023.
What is Nyland's role in the squad?
The pecking order in goal is clear. Marten Vandevoordt will be the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the new season. Nyland takes on the backup role. However, due to the triple burden of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League, the experienced keeper expects to get some game time. "I do expect to get playing time and of course I want to play as much as possible," Nyland said at the training camp in Saalfelden.
Sporting director Marcel Schäfer highlighted the value of Nyland's experience for the team. "He knows the Bundesliga, our club and big international games," Schäfer said. With nearly 20 years as a professional, the Norwegian is also expected to help younger players in the squad. The current squad list shows a mix of established stars and promising talent.
How did Nyland's World Cup with Norway go?
Örjan Nyland featured for Norway at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer. He helped the national team reach the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated after a 1-2 defeat to England. A mistake by Nyland led to Jude Bellingham's decisive goal in that match. Prior to that, the keeper had a strong tournament, saving a penalty in the round of 16 against Brazil.
The World Cup experience has boosted his confidence, the player said. "I showed at the World Cup what I can do. With my experience, I don't have to prove anything anymore," stated Nyland. He wants to give everything for the club to achieve as much success as possible.
What does the signing mean for the goalkeeper situation?
By signing Nyland, RB Leipzig have filled the gap in goal left by the departure of Peter Gulacsi. The Hungarian was the undisputed number one for many years. His successor is now the 22-year-old Marten Vandevoordt, who gained valuable experience last season. As an experienced second choice, Nyland brings calm and know-how to the position.
Opting for a familiar player also saves time on settling in. Nyland does not need to acclimatise to the club or the Bundesliga. This is important with the season start and first competitive matches just around the corner. You can find the exact schedule on our fixtures page.
What is the current situation regarding Yan Diomande?
Alongside Nyland's return, another player is generating transfer rumours. Although 19-year-old Ivorian winger Yan Diomande has joined the training camp, his future at RB Leipzig remains uncertain. According to media reports, Diomande is close to a move to Real Madrid.
Negotiations have been dragging on for weeks. RB Leipzig are said to be demanding a fee of at least 120 million euros for the youngster. A final breakthrough has not yet been achieved. Sporting director Schäfer did not go into details of the talks on Wednesday. Diomande had reported sick before the flight to the training camp but has since joined the team.
Clarifying this personnel matter is highly important for planning the coming season. If Diomande leaves the club, significant financial resources would be available for potential new signings. The current league table and further statistics can be viewed on our stats overview.
With Örjan Nyland, RB Leipzig have signed a reliable and motivated second goalkeeper. His experience will be valuable in a demanding season with many matches. The goalkeeper question is now resolved before the season starts, while the future of Yan Diomande remains open.
