‘This is a step I had to take’ – Openda reveals the reasoning behind his move

In an interview with the RMC Sport podcast Intégrale Foot, RB Leipzig forward Loïs Openda revealed the reasoning behind making the switch to Leipzig from Lens in the summer and spoke of the feelings he still has for the Ligue 1 club. Openda made the switch to the Bundesliga in what was a club-record sale for Lens worth €50m.

During his interview with the RMC podcast, the Belgian international discussed the disappointment Lens fans felt following his departure, saying “I see on social networks that the supporters miss me. I know they didn’t want me to leave. I left after one season. It’s true that some supporters wanted me to stay. But hey, it’s football.”

The former Lens forward then went on to reveal the reasoning for the transfer, stating: “This is a step I had to take… I had a year that I will not forget, it will stay with me.” The Leipzig attacker left Lens following a successful one-year spell with the club.

During his time at Lens, Openda made 42 appearances for Les Sang et Ors in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and assisting a further 4. He played an integral part in Franck Haise’s squad that qualified for this season’s edition of the UEFA Champions League. The former Vitesse striker has started life in Germany in a similar fashion – scoring 9 goals in his opening 11 Bundesliga appearances for the Red Bull club.