Christopher Nkunku has returned to RB Leipzig on loan from AC Milan, just a few years after leaving them for Chelsea.
Christopher Nkunku is heading back to where he established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking players after RB Leipzig confirmed his return from AC Milan on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
The 28-year-old spent four hugely productive years at Leipzig between 2019 and 2023, scoring 70 goals and helping the club win two German Cups. His final season in Germany was particularly impressive, as he finished the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign as one of the division’s joint-top scorers.
HE IS BACK! 🎈😍
Christopher #Nkunku kehrt für die Saison 2026/27 auf Leihbasis zu den Roten Bullen zurück. Zudem gibt es eine Kaufoption. 🤝
Willkommen zurück in Leipzig, Christo! ❤️🤍
🔗 https://t.co/B55Pm5tcO3 pic.twitter.com/t7krYlQVLf
— RB Leipzig (@RBLeipzig) August 25, 2026
For Leipzig, the deal represents an opportunity to bring back a player who already knows the club, the league and the expectations that come with playing at the Red Bull Arena. Sporting director Marcel Schäfer believes Nkunku still possesses the qualities to make a decisive difference.
“He has already shown the exceptional talent that he brings to the table and that he can make a difference in games,” Schäfer said.
Nkunku’s career has taken a complicated route since leaving Leipzig. He began his professional career at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Germany, where his performances eventually earned him a big-money move to Chelsea in 2023. However, injuries disrupted his time at Stamford Bridge and prevented him from consistently showing the form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after attackers.
Despite his struggles for regular football, Nkunku still collected silverware with Chelsea, winning both the Conference League and Club World Cup during his time in England.
He moved to AC Milan last summer in search of a fresh start and featured 35 times during the 2025/26 campaign, scoring eight goals. However, his return to Germany now gives him another chance to rediscover the form that made him such a dangerous forward at Leipzig.
