Brighton seal record Georginio Rutter transfer

Brighton and Hove Albion have completed the £40million signing of Georginio Rutter from Leeds United.

The French forward has completed a record move to the Seagulls, after becoming Leeds’ record signing when arriving from German side Hoffenheim in 2021.

Brighton agreed to pay Rutter’s release clause in his Elland Road contract last week and he has now signed a five-year deal on the south coast.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said, "Georginio is a player who has the capabilities to get fans off their seats and really showed what he can do in English football with Leeds last season — but I have known about him since he played in Germany for Hoffenheim.

“Now we have to integrate him into the team. We’re looking forward to working with him.”

Technical director David Weir added: "Georginio is a player we have been looking at for a while. He's a strong technical player and one we are excited to bring to the club. We look forward to seeing him continue to develop with us."

Leeds boss Daniel Fake revealed last week that there had been emotional scenes at his side’s training ground as Rutter said his goodbyes to team-mates and staff.

And Farke also declared that he wasn’t made aware of release clauses in the contracts of the likes of Rutter or Crysencio Summerville - who joined West Ham - when he took over the Whites.

“I wasn’t aware of these when I signed the contract one year ago,” said Farke last week. “Once we had a look into the contract and the details about what could happen, then I was aware of it 12 months ago.

“You couldn’t predict someone will activate a release clause.”