German side RB Leipzig win race for Oliver Burke

Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig have announced the surprise signing of Oliver Burke from Nottingham Forest on a five-year deal.

The 19-year-old had been tipped with a move to European giants Bayern Munich and Manchester United in recent days, but controversial German side Leipzig - backed by energy drink firm Red Bull - have won the race to land his signature.

Burke scored four goals in his first seven games for Forest this season, marking his final game for the club with a strike in the 3-1 home win over Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

It had been widely reported that the youngster would be loaned back to the City Ground after completing a move away, yet that does not appear to be the case after Leipzig took to Twitter to announce the signing.

Herzlich willkommen in #Leipzig, @OliverBurke55! #Burke #RBLNeuzugang #OliverBurke https://t.co/39iKZGx7tQ pic.twitter.com/mi0U0kkwmJ

— RB Leipzig (@DieRotenBullen) August 28, 2016

"Oliver Burke is an outstanding talent, only 19 years old, with an awful lot of potential that has not been completed," sporting director Ralf Rangnick told his club's official website.

"He fits with the high pace and way of playing very well and will make his next sporting development step with us. This transfer is important, especially because several top clubs were interested."

Burke joined Forest's academy at the age of 12, making his first-team debut for the Reds in September 2014 before being farmed out on loan to Bradford City.