Van Bommel advised Vermeeren to switch to Leipzig

Former Bayern professional Mark van Bommel has advised young Belgian star Arthur Vermeeren to move to RB Leipzig. "He was coach at Wolfsburg and knew a lot of people here. Of course I spoke to him, he helped me a lot during my time in Antwerp," said Vermeeren. The 19-year-old is initially on loan from Atlético Madrid, with a purchase obligation coming into effect after a certain number of games.

Under van Bommel, who played for FC Bayern Munich from 2006 to 2011, Vermeeren, who had just come through the youth ranks, had risen to become a regular. In Belgium, the teenager was sometimes referred to as a "child prodigy". A move to Madrid in January of this year brought Antwerp a nice income, but Vermeeren got to know the dark side of the business for the first time.

Mentally stronger because of Madrid

However, the midfielder does not want to see the months in Spain as lost time. "It was perhaps even the time when I learned the most about soccer," said the 19-year-old. "I became stronger, especially mentally. I don't see it as the wrong step."

In Leipzig, Vermeeren is now hoping for the next boost. "As a young player, you get more opportunities in Leipzig, which wasn't necessarily the case in Madrid. I know what is expected of me and what the club's concept is," said Vermeeren. In Leipzig, he will face his compatriots Lois Openda and Maarten Vandevoordt.

However, it is unlikely to be a quick starting eleven debut. With Amadou Haidara, who has recovered from a concussion, and the in-form veteran Kevin Kampl, Leipzig are well-positioned in central midfield. Austrian international Nicolas Seiwald has also made a claim, while his compatriot Xaver Schlager will be missing until the winter with a cruciate ligament rupture.