David Raum new captain: RB Leipzig starts the DFB Cup with a change!

David Raum new captain: RB Leipzig starts the DFB Cup with a change!

On August 14, 2025, RB Leipzig will bring a breath of fresh air into the team. Coach Ole Werner surprises fans and media alike by naming David Raum as the team's new captain. He succeeds Willi Orban, who has held this role since 2017. Werner emphasizes that Raum's hunger, ability to develop and aggressiveness were decisive for this choice. Xaver Schlager will be integrated into this new leadership structure as vice-captain, thus ensuring additional stability on the pitch. This personnel decision comes shortly before the DFB Cup game against SV Sandhausen, and the team seems ready for the challenges ahead. As lvz.de reports, Raum is a player who embodies what Werner expects from his team.

Since training camp, another talented Red Bulls player, Xavi Simons, has shown that he can play a significant role in the squad. Werner plans to use Simons in the DFB Cup game against Sandhausen. The coach speaks positively about the player and his performance in the preparatory games, which further increases the anticipation for the new season.

New arrivals and departures

A lot has happened at RB Leipzig during the transfer period. Brazilian striker Rômulo, who shone with 13 goals and 9 assists for Göztepe last season, has arrived in Leipzig for a medical check. The negotiations appear to be nearing completion; the transfer is around 20 million euros plus 5 million euros in bonuses. This development could significantly strengthen the offensive again. But Rômulo's availability for the upcoming DFB Cup game remains questionable. Yahoo Sports also emphasizes that the team is well positioned and Werner is optimistic about the coming games.

Another notable transfer is the move of Johan Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven to Leipzig and the signing of Andrija Maksimovic from Red Star Belgrade. At the same time, Janis Blaswich, who played 64 games for the Red Bulls and was part of the 2023 DFB Cup victory, and Yussuf Poulsen, who played for Leipzig for more than 12 years, are leaving the club. Blaswich is moving to Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Poulsen is moving on to Hamburger SV. The changes in the squad indicate a personnel change that RB Leipzig is planning carefully.

Preparation and infrastructure

The team has completed performance tests and intensive training sessions in the last few days in order to start the new season well prepared. There were also changes to the infrastructure at the local Red Bull Arena: a new hybrid turf was laid, which is intended to offer more optimal playing conditions. The team also recently had to admit defeat in a final friendly against RC Lens, but the focus is already on the start of the DFB Cup.

RB Leipzig's U19s got off to a positive start with a 2-1 win against Halleschen FC. It remains to be seen how the teams will perform in the coming weeks and whether the signings will produce the desired results. Stay tuned, it remains exciting!