Official | RB Leipzig confirm permanent capture of Arthur Vermeeren: “Very comfortable in Leipzig from day one.” | OneFootball

RB Leipzig have today announced the signing of Arthur Vermeeren on a permanent basis after triggering the player’s purchase option. The existence of an automatic clause in the 19-year-old’s loan arrangement long served as common knowledge. Multiple sources – including Kicker – speak of a €20m fee in addition to the €5m attached to the loan agreement with Atlético Madrid.

Rumours began to surface late last month that approximately 18-20 appearances across all competitions would trigger the clause. Vermeeren reached the number via 22 games in the league, Champions League, and DFB Pokal.

Vermeeren featured in RB trainer Marco Rose’s starting XI for the ninth time in Wednesday’s loss to Stuttgart. Rose spoke on Vermeeren and the clause during his Friday pre-match presser ahead of this weekend’s away fixture against Bochum.

“It was already clear to us in Autumn that Arthur would be here for the long haul,” Rose remarked at the press conference. “He’s very developed for a 19-year-old. He fills our [defensive midfield] position and repeatedly wins balls for us.”

Both Rose (at the presser) and RB chief personnel executive Marcel Schäfer (in a club statement) expressed the hope that Vermeeren would serve as a “long-term fixture in the midfield axis.“

“I have felt very comfortable in Leipzig since day one,” the Belgian himself confirmed in a club statement. “My sporting development in particular has gone according to plan, just as the club’s management team promised when I joined in the summer.”

GGFN | Peter Weis