Kaiser scored against Hoffenheim in Leipzig's first top-flight game en route to helping them reaching the UEFA Champions League at the end of the 2016/2017 campaign. - © © gettyimages / Simon Hofmann
Kaiser scored against Hoffenheim in Leipzig's first top-flight game en route to helping them reaching the UEFA Champions League at the end of the 2016/2017 campaign. - © © gettyimages / Simon Hofmann

Kaiser creates Leipzig history as Champions League dream comes true

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Dominik Kaiser has become RB Leipzig’s record appearance holder after completing a remarkable journey from regional amateur football to the UEFA Champions League.

The 29-year-old made his 164th competitive appearance for the club on Wednesday when he replaced Kevin Kampl in the second half of their 2-1 defeat to Besiktas.

Kaiser not only created a club record in doing so but - by making his first appearance in Europe this season - he also rounded off a fairytale rise from the German fourth tier to the Champions League.

“This record makes me very, very proud,” he said after the game. “It has always been my dream to play for Leipzig in the Champions League.

“I wouldn’t say it was the most incredible game of my career as Leipzig have had plenty of big games during my time with the club which I’ve started. But it was amazing to make my Champions League debut tonight. It’s a moment I will never forget.”

The midfielder signed for Leipzig from Hoffenheim in 2012 and first played for the east German outfit in the Regionalliga Nordost during the 2012/2013 campaign.

The following season he scored 13 goals as they earned promotion from the third tier and he was named club captain in 2014.

After two years in Bundesliga 2, Kaiser made his Bundesliga debut against former club Hoffenheim on the opening day of 2016/2017 and scored in a 2-2 draw. He made 25 league appearances – 18 from the bench – as Leipzig finished runners-up to Bayern Munich in their first season in the top flight before making history against Besiktas.

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