Rumors had been swirling in recent days that Peter Gulacsi was set to join Spanish first-division club Villarreal CF. The transfer is now a done deal, and the goalkeeper is leaving RB Leipzig after eleven years.
In the summer of 2015, Peter Gulacsi joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg while the club was still in the second division. At first, the Hungarian had to settle for a backup role behind Swiss goalkeeper Fabio Coltorti, but he took over between the posts starting on Matchday 20. By the end of the season, the team had secured promotion to the Bundesliga, where the Budapest native became an undisputed starter for the Saxon club. Gulacsi made a total of 269 appearances in the top flight; only a prolonged forced absence due to a cruciate ligament tear during the 2022–23 season prevented him from racking up even more appearances. In 2022 and 2023, he celebrated DFB-Pokal victories with Leipzig.
Vandevoordt Becomes Leipzig’s No. 1
Now, a long era in Leipzig is coming to an end for the 36-year-old. RB plans to continue the generational transition—which has already been gently initiated—with Maarten Vandevoordt as the starting goalkeeper in the upcoming season, and Gulacsi has now decided to continue his career elsewhere.
The 58-time Hungarian international has found a new challenge at Villarreal CF, which finished third in La Liga last year and thus qualified for the Champions League. Gulacsi has signed a contract with the Spanish club through 2028.
“RB Leipzig was never just a club to me. Leipzig has become a second home for my family and me, and the people here will always have a special place in my heart and ours,” says the two-time DFB Cup winner. “I’m leaving Leipzig with great gratitude, a lot of pride, and a flood of emotions. RB Leipzig and this city will always be a part of me.”
Great Appreciation in Leipzig
“We could always count on Pete—in big games, during difficult times, and in our day-to-day interactions,” says sporting director Marcel Schäfer, emphasizing the goalkeeper’s value. “Of course, it’s not easy for us to let a player and a person like Pete go. At the same time, our feelings of gratitude, respect, and deep appreciation for an extraordinary time together outweigh everything else. We wholeheartedly wish Pete and his family all the best for this new chapter.”
Gulasci is set to take part in his first training session with Villarreal on Tuesday and will then be officially presented. He will challenge the current number one, Luiz Junior (25), for the starting spot between the posts.
