OFFICIAL: RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida joins Sunderland on loan

Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the signing of defender Lutsharel Geertruida, subject to international clearance.

The Netherlands international moves to the Stadium of Light on loan for the 2025-26 season from RB Leipzig.

After arriving at the Red Bull Arena last summer, Geertruida made 35 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season.

This followed a 12-year association with Feyenoord, with whom he won the 2022-23 Eredivisie, and a KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield double twice, in 2018 and 2024.

Geertruida was also part of the Feyenoord team that reached the UEFA Conference League final in 2022, which led to him being named in the tournament’s Team of the Season.

After arriving on Wearside, he said: “First of all, I want to thank God for this opportunity, and I also want to thank the Club for their trust in me. I’ve always wanted to play in the Premier League, and I’m so excited now that my opportunity is here. We are new to the league, so we need to fight, and I want to be a part of that. I’ve seen the recent games and think the group looks fresh and energetic. Now, I just want to be as important as possible for this Club. I’m ready, and I can’t wait to see the fans in the stadium.”

Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman said: “We are delighted that Lutsharel has joined us for the 2025-26 season. He was extremely motivated by our proposal from the very beginning, and the opportunity to bring such a high-calibre player to the Club on loan was a perfect fit for us. Competition for his signature was high, but the combination of our Club, city, and fan base ultimately made the difference.”

Born in Rotterdam, Geertruida spent time in Sparta Rotterdam’s academy before moving to Feyenoord and breaking into the Club’s senior team aged 17.

During his time at De Kuip, he represented Feyenoord 202 times, scoring on 24 occasions and contributing 11 assists in an immensely successful, trophy-laden spell.

A move to RB Leipzig followed in August 2024, and he featured regularly last campaign, as the German side finished seventh in the Bundesliga. 

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