Georginio Rutter’s transfer from Leeds United to Brighton & Hove Albion was officially completed on Monday night, and Adam Pope has revealed an important detail about the transfer fee.
Rutter, 22, becomes Brighton’s club record signing for a reported £40 million. Leeds have now sold eight players, earning an estimated £120 million in transfer fees.
It comes after Rutter became Leeds’ club record signing in January 2023, spending roughly £35 million in a move from German club Hoffenheim. The France U21 star struggled at Elland Road before being relegated.
However, relegation seemed to bring out the best in Rutter, as the Frenchman scored 24 goals in 51 games last season. He joins Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray in signing with Premier League clubs.
Pope discusses the possibility of a sell-on clause with Hoffenheim.
Leeds paid £25 million for Rutter, with an additional £10 million in add-ons. Leeds has earned a £40 million fee as a result of Brighton’s activation of a release clause.
According to German reports, Leeds had a sell-on clause that required them to pay Hoffenheim. However, BBC Radio Leeds reporter Pope took to Twitter to notify supporters that he has been advised that no clause is included.
He informed me: “Told there is no sell-on fee owed to Hoffenheim.”
Rutter infuriates Leeds fans by typing the Brighton announcement post.
Matt Smith announced his retirement on Monday, following a successful League Two season with Salford City. However, he is best known among Leeds fans for his late transfer to Fulham.
Not by his actions, but by the Leeds social media team at the time. They stated “don’t go to bed just yet,” implying a new signing, only to later reveal the sales of Smith to Fulham and Dom Poleon to Oldham.
Brighton revealed Rutter by originally posting the identical caption, before uploading a video of Rutter typing the message himself. A move that has infuriated Leeds fans on social media.
It’s unlikely that Rutter knew the context of the post from ten years ago, but it’s something that has ruined his otherwise wonderful connection with Leeds supporters as he leaves for £40 million.
