On Monday night, Georginio Rutter’s move to Brighton & Hove Albion from Leeds United was finally confirmed and Adam Pope has reported a crucial element regarding the transfer fee.
Rutter, 22, becomes Brighton’s club-record signing with a fee of £40m said to be changing hands. Leeds have now sold eight players and it is believed a whopping £120m has been raked in in transfer fees.
It comes after Rutter became Leeds’ club-record signing in January 2023, costing around £35m in a move from German side Hoffenheim. The France U21 star initially struggled at Elland Road before relegation.
But relegation seemed to get the best out of Rutter, with the Frenchman having a hand in 24 goals in 51 games last season. He joins Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray in joining Premier League clubs.
We are delighted to confirm the signing of Georginio Rutter from Leeds United! 🤝
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 19, 2024
Pope shares details of possible Hoffenheim sell-on clause
Leeds bought Rutter from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for an initial £25m plus £10m in add-ons. The move to Brighton, which sees them activate a release clause, means Leeds have pocketed a £40m fee.
Reports from Germany state that Leeds had a sell-on clause to pay to Hoffenheim. But BBC Radio Leeds reporter Pope has taken to Twitter to inform supporters that he’s been told there is no clause included.
He said: “Told there is no sell-on fee owed to Hoffenheim.”
Rutter to Brighton confirmed #LUFC https://t.co/joElkgzW7D
— Adam Pope (@apopey) August 19, 2024
Rutter angers Leeds fans by typing Brighton announcement post
Matt Smith announced his retirement on Monday, with the target man enjoying a wonderful campaign in League Two last season with Salford City. But for Leeds fans, he is renowned for his late move to Fulham.
Not by his doing, but by the Leeds social media team at the time. They posted “don’t go to bed just yet”, hinting at a new signing only to then confirm the sale of Smith to Fulham and Dom Poleon to Oldham.
Brighton announced Rutter by initially posting the same caption, before a video uploaded by Brighton showed Rutter typing out the post himself. A move that has angered the Leeds fanbase on social media.
The chances of Rutter knowing the context behind the post from 10 years ago is unlikely, but either way it is something that has soured his otherwise excellent relationship with Leeds fans as he departs for £40m.
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