RB Leipzig have signed Morocco international Neil El Aynaoui from Roma on loan until the end of the 2026-27 season.
The deal includes an option for Leipzig to make the dynamic midfielder’s move permanent. El Aynaoui made 25 Serie A appearances for Roma last season, scoring once and providing two assists.
His arrival was confirmed before the summer transfer window closed, with Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer welcoming the midfielder’s qualities and his suitability for the club’s approach.
“With Neil El Aynaoui, we are welcoming a player who fits our profile and style of play perfectly,” Schafer said.
“He is a very energetic and aggressive player who offers great intensity without the ball and can also bring dynamism and creativity to midfield through his quality in possession.”
El Aynaoui began his professional career in the French second tier with hometown club Nancy. His performances earned him a move to Ligue 1 heavyweights Lens in 2023.
He subsequently joined Roma in 2025 after impressing supporters in northern France with his work-rate and ability to cover ground during 49 league appearances for Lens.
The 24-year-old brings considerable European and international experience to Leipzig. He has featured in both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League, starring in the former with Lens and the latter with Roma.
El Aynaoui has won 22 caps for Morocco, including six appearances at the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A box-to-box midfielder with excellent dribbling ability, El Aynaoui gives Leipzig manager Martin Demichelis another option in the centre of the pitch. His arrival is the latest significant addition to a squad that has also secured Christopher Nkunku and Rocco Reitz.
Both Nkunku and Reitz played a part in Leipzig’s emphatic Bundesliga victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on the opening day of the season.
The loan agreement allows Leipzig to assess El Aynaoui over the course of the 2026-27 campaign before deciding whether to complete a permanent transfer. His energy, aggression and ability to contribute in possession are expected to add further depth and variety to Demichelis’ midfield options.
The move concludes a long-running sequence of developments surrounding El Aynaoui before the end of the summer window, with Leipzig ultimately securing the Morocco international on a temporary deal from Roma.