Peter Gulácsi
Hungarian goalkeeper who captained RB Leipzig to their first DFB-Pokal title and later joined Villarreal.
Péter Gulácsi (born 6 May 1990) is a Hungarian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for La Liga club Villarreal. He began his career at Liverpool but did not make a senior appearance, spending loan spells at Hereford United, Tranmere Rovers, and Hull City. In 2013, he joined Red Bull Salzburg, where he won a domestic double twice. He later moved to RB Leipzig in 2015, becoming a key figure in their rise to the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League contention. Appointed captain in 2021, he played a key role in securing the club's first-ever DFB-Pokal title in 2022. After eleven years at the German club, Gulácsi signed for La Liga side Villarreal in 2026. A full international for Hungary between 2014 and 2025, he represented his country in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 UEFA European Championships.
Quick Facts
- Joined leipzig
- July 2015 (loaned back to Salzburg; officially joined squad July 2016)
Lore & Background
Gulácsi transferred to RB Leipzig on 1 July 2015 for a fee of 3 million pounds. He finished the 2015–16 season making 15 appearances for the first team and two appearances in the Regionalliga Nordost for the reserve team. On 17 December 2017, he signed a new contract with Leipzig, prolonging his stay until 2022. He was selected as the best goalkeeper of the autumn part of the 2017–18 Bundesliga season by Kicker.
In the 2019–20 season, he became the first Hungarian to qualify for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, the first time ever for RB Leipzig. On 7 May 2021, he signed a four-year contract extension until June 2025. Following the departure of Marcel Sabitzer, he was appointed Leipzig's captain in September 2021. On 23 May 2022, he helped Leipzig win their first DFB-Pokal, forcing two misses in the penalty shoot-out in the final.
On 5 October 2022, he tore the ACL in his right knee in a 3–1 win against Celtic, missing the rest of the season. He returned from injury on 27 September 2023 in a DFB-Pokal match against Wehen Wiesbaden. In December 2024, he was rated as the best goalkeeper of the first half of the 2024–25 Bundesliga season by Kicker. On 3 August 2026, he departed Leipzig and moved to Villarreal on a two-year deal.
Reader's Guide
Gulácsi is a goalkeeper known for his shot-stopping and leadership. He served as captain of RB Leipzig from 2021 until his injury in October 2022, after which Willi Orbán quietly replaced him as captain. He was Hungary's first-choice goalkeeper from 2016 until his cruciate ligament injury in October 2022, when Dénes Dibusz replaced him. He returned to the Hungarian line-up on 22 March 2024, keeping a clean sheet against Turkey. He started for Hungary at UEFA Euro 2024, keeping his first clean sheet at a major tournament in a 1–0 win over Scotland on 23 June 2024. He announced his retirement from international football on 19 May 2025.
Did You Know?
- Gulácsi helped Hungary win bronze at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, saving three penalties in the third-place match shoot-out against Costa Rica.
- He made his senior debut for Hungary on 22 May 2014 in a 2–2 friendly draw against Denmark.
- He made his 50th appearance for Hungary on 23 September 2022, keeping a clean sheet against Germany in a 1–0 UEFA Nations League win at RB Leipzig's Red Bull Arena.
- In 2021, a post on Gulácsi's Facebook page expressed his wish to join the Family Is Family campaign in Hungary, which promotes acceptance of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Peter Gulácsi?
Peter Gulácsi is a Hungarian goalkeeper widely regarded as a club legend for his pivotal role in RB Leipzig's rise to prominence. He joined the team from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2015 and quickly became known for his stability between the posts.
When did Peter Gulácsi join RB Leipzig?
Gulácsi transferred to RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window of 2015, arriving directly from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg. His arrival coincided with a critical period as the club was preparing for its ascent through the German football hierarchy.
What is Peter Gulácsi's main role at the club?
As the primary goalkeeper during the team's transformative years, he served as the defensive anchor and a key leader within the squad. His consistent performances provided the security needed to help Leipzig climb from lower divisions into European competition.
What major honors has Peter Gulácsi won with RB Leipzig?
His most significant achievement with the club came in 2023 when he helped secure the DFB-Pokal title. This victory capped a journey that saw him evolve from a new signing to an established icon of the team.
More in Club History & Eras
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