RB Leipzig's record-breaking player Yussuf Poulsen remains a reliable force. The 29-year-old Dane extended his contract with the Saxon Bundesliga soccer club, which expires next summer, ahead of schedule until June 30, 2026. "Yussuf Poulsen's story at RB Leipzig is extraordinary. On the one hand, his path from the 3rd league to the Champions League. On the other hand, also the long time at one and the same club. Yussi has earned a unique status in Leipzig through his achievements and his personality," RB sporting director Rouven Schröder said in a club statement on Tuesday.
Coach Marco Rose said Poulsen identifies 100 percent with the team and the city. "He has come a long way since the 3. Liga. It's an extraordinary story."
Poulsen celebrated his tenth anniversary at RB in the summer. On July 4, 2013, he came to Cottaweg from then-Danish second-division club Lyngby BK - in League Three. Ten years later, the striker, who is only called Yussi in the team, has gained experience in the Champions League as far as the semifinals as the longest-serving professional in the RB squad and has won the DFB Cup twice after two runner-up finishes. In 2014, he made the leap to the senior national team of Denmark. He played for his home country at the 2018 World Cup and 2021 European Championship. In both tournaments, he was able to register as a goal scorer. And he was also part of the lineup at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His credo is always, "A fit Poulsen is a good and useful Poulsen." After many injury setbacks, he is finally free of complaints. Now he can finally play through 90 minutes "without the body pinching," he said most recently. Looking back on his time at RB, he said, "You also need luck, you have to be in the right place at the right time. I had that in Leipzig. And I'm grateful for that." He made his debut in the RB jersey on July 19, 2013, against Hallescher FC. Since then, he has added another 369 appearances.
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