Bild: Gruda drove 11h overnight, covering 1,052 kilometers to sign a contract

Brighton midfielder, German U21 international Brajan Gruda has joined RB Leipzig on loan. 

According to Bild, Brajan Gruda did not take a plane but drove directly from southern England to Leipzig. This was a long journey spanning 1052 kilometers and taking 11 hours!

Accompanied by two friends, Gruda set off on his own initiative on Saturday evening local time. After crossing the Channel Tunnel and passing through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, he arrived in Saxony on Sunday morning. He then completed his medical in the afternoon and officially signed the contract shortly after midnight.

RB Leipzig's sports director Schaefer said: "We have been watching him for several years and originally wanted to bring him to Leipzig in 2024. Now we are very happy, even though it is only a loan contract for now."

Brajan Gruda previously moved to England for a fee of 31.5 million euros and has since played 45 games (contributing 4 goals and 8 assists). This performance is not yet enough to catch the eye of national team coach Nagelsmann. The versatile forward hopes to get more playing time at Leipzig to strive for a spot in the World Cup squad.

Gruda said: "I feel in good physical shape, and I already know many of my new teammates from the national team and the Bundesliga. I want to help Leipzig return to European competition."

If the goals are achieved, the possibility of Brajan Gruda being officially bought out this summer will not be ruled out; his contract with Brighton was originally set to expire in 2028.