Péter Gulácsi facts for kids
Gulácsi with RB Leipzig in 2020
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Péter Gulácsi | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 6 May 1990 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Budapest, Hungary | |||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | |||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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RB Leipzig | |||||||||||||||
| Number | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | MTK Budapest | |||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | → Liverpool (loan) | |||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||
| 2008–2013 | Liverpool | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2009 | → Hereford United (loan) | 18 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2010 | → Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 17 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | → Hull City (loan) | 15 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2013–2015 | Red Bull Salzburg | 65 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2015– | RB Leipzig | 260 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Hungary U17 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2008 | Hungary U19 | 15 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Hungary U20 | 12 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2009–2012 | Hungary U21 | 26 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2014–2025 | Hungary | 58 | (0) | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:32, 20 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:18, 7 September 2024 (UTC) |
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Péter Gulácsi (born 6 May 1990) is a Hungarian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the German club RB Leipzig.
Gulácsi started his career at Liverpool in England. He did not play any senior games for Liverpool. Instead, he spent time on loan at other clubs like Hereford United, Tranmere Rovers, and Hull City.
In 2013, he moved to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. There, he helped the team win both the Austrian league and cup twice. In 2015, he joined RB Leipzig, a club that quickly rose through the ranks in German football. He became a very important player for them. Gulácsi helped Leipzig reach the Bundesliga (Germany's top league) and play in the UEFA Champions League. He also played a key role when Leipzig won their first major trophy, the DFB-Pokal (German Cup).
Péter Gulácsi also played for the Hungarian national team. He represented his country in major tournaments like Euro 2016, Euro 2020, and Euro 2024. He retired from international football in May 2025.
Club Career Highlights
Starting at Liverpool
Liverpool signed Gulácsi from MTK Budapest in Hungary in 2007. He first joined on a one-year loan. During this time, he played for Liverpool's reserve team, which won three trophies.
Liverpool decided to buy him permanently on 1 September 2008. Gulácsi was one of three players from MTK Budapest to join Liverpool.
He often sat on the bench as a substitute goalkeeper for Liverpool's senior team. This happened in UEFA Europa League games in 2010 and Premier League games in 2011. He was a backup to the main goalkeeper, Pepe Reina.
Loan Spells
Gulácsi spent time on loan at different clubs to gain experience.
Hereford United
In January 2009, Gulácsi was loaned to Hereford United. He played his first league game there. He made 18 appearances for the club during his loan.
Tranmere Rovers
On 16 April 2010, Gulácsi joined Tranmere Rovers on a short-term loan. He played his first game for them the next day, helping them win 3–1. His loan was extended several times.
He returned to Tranmere Rovers on another emergency loan in September 2010. This was because their two main goalkeepers were injured. He stayed with them for about two months.
Hull City
On 19 July 2011, Gulácsi signed a new contract with Liverpool. He then joined Championship team Hull City for a year-long loan. He made his debut for Hull in their first game of the season against Blackpool.
He got a knee injury in a game against Burnley on 31 December 2011. He had to leave the game early. After his injury, he went back to Liverpool for medical checks.
In April 2012, Liverpool called Gulácsi back from his loan. This was because their main goalkeepers, Pepe Reina and Doni, were suspended. This left Brad Jones as their only senior goalkeeper. Gulácsi played 15 games for Hull City.
Back at Liverpool
After being recalled, Gulácsi was on the bench for Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final match, which Liverpool won. He also played in all three of Liverpool's pre-season games in North America.
Moving to Red Bull Salzburg
On 7 June 2013, Gulácsi moved to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. He joined them for free and signed a four-year contract. He played his first game for Salzburg in the ÖFB-Cup, where they won 9–0. On 20 July 2013, he made his debut in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Success with RB Leipzig
From Second Division to Champions League
On 1 July 2015, Gulácsi moved to RB Leipzig, a club closely linked with Red Bull Salzburg. He joined for about 3 million pounds. In the 2015–16 season, he played 15 games for the first team.
On 17 December 2017, Gulácsi signed a new contract with RB Leipzig, extending it until 2022. He played 34 games in the 2016–17 season. The German sports magazine Kicker named him the best goalkeeper in the first half of the 2017–18 Bundesliga season. He played 47 games in the 2017–18 season.
In the 2018–19 Bundesliga season, Kicker magazine also rated Gulácsi as the best goalkeeper. He had 16 clean sheets (games where he didn't let in any goals).
In the 2019–20 season, Gulácsi made history. He became the first Hungarian player to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with RB Leipzig. This was also the first time RB Leipzig reached this stage.
Becoming Club Captain
After Marcel Sabitzer left the club, Gulácsi became the new captain of RB Leipzig. On 7 May 2021, he extended his contract with Leipzig until 2025.
On 23 May 2022, Gulácsi helped Leipzig win their first major trophy, the DFB-Pokal (German Cup). In the final against Freiburg, he saved two penalties in the penalty shootout.
On 5 October 2022, he suffered a serious knee injury during a Champions League game against Celtic. This injury meant he missed the rest of the season.
He returned from his injury on 27 September 2023. He played a full game in the DFB-Pokal, which Leipzig won 3–2. On 4 February 2024, he played his first Bundesliga game after his long absence. It was a 2–0 win against Union Berlin. In December 2024, Kicker magazine rated him as the best goalkeeper in the first half of the 2024–25 Bundesliga season.
International Career
Youth Teams
Gulácsi was a hero for Hungary's youth teams. At the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he helped Hungary win the bronze medal. In the third-place match against Costa Rica, he saved three penalties in the shootout.
Senior National Team
Gulácsi played his first game for the Hungarian senior team on 22 May 2014. It was a friendly match against Denmark that ended in a 2–2 draw.
He was part of Hungary's squad for UEFA Euro 2016. He was the backup goalkeeper to Gábor Király. After Király retired in August 2016, Gulácsi became Hungary's main goalkeeper. He played in every game during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
On 1 June 2021, Gulácsi was chosen for Hungary's 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. He played in all three of Hungary's group stage matches.
On 23 September 2022, Gulácsi played his 50th game for Hungary. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Germany in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League. His knee injury in October 2022 meant Dénes Dibusz took his place for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying games. Hungary did not lose any games in 2023.
Gulácsi returned to the Hungarian team on 22 March 2024. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Turkey.
On 14 May 2024, Gulácsi was named in Hungary's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He started in their first group game against Switzerland. On 23 June, he kept his first clean sheet in a major international tournament. Hungary beat Scotland 1–0 in that game.
Gulácsi retired from playing for the national team in May 2025.
Honours and Awards
Red Bull Salzburg
- Austrian Bundesliga: 2013–14, 2014–15
- Austrian Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15
RB Leipzig
- DFB-Pokal (German Cup): 2021–22, 2022–23
- DFB-Pokal Runner-up: 2018–19, 2020–21
Hungary U20
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: Third place in 2009
Individual Awards
- Kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2018–19, 2024–25
- Hungarian Footballer of the Year (Golden Ball): 2018, 2019
See also
In Spanish: Péter Gulácsi para niños
