Leeds sign Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim in club-record transfer

Leeds United have completed the signing of striker Georginio Rutter from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for around £35.5 million. It is a club-record transfer fee for the Premier League club.

The fee eclipses the £27 million they paid Valencia for Rodrigo in 2019.

Rutter will wear the number 24 at his new club and becomes the club’s second signing following the arrival of Maximilian Wober from RB Salzburg.

While the deal is still subject to international clearance, the player has signed a long-term five-and-a-half-year contract at Elland Road. His contract at the club will run till June 2028.

The 20-year-old striker broke through from the Stade Rennais academy into the first team. He made his debut for the senior team in September 2020, making a Ligue 1 appearance against Saint-Etienne at only 18.

Rutter’s first goal came in the Champions League when he netted a penalty against Sevilla in the group stage of the 2020/2021 campaign.

Die Kraichgauer had seen enough and signed him the following transfer window. He joined the Bundesliga club on February 1, 2021, for around €1 million.

Rutter debuted for Hoffenheim in a Europa League game against Molde FK before debuting in the Bundesliga with a goal against Werder Bremen.

The French youth international has scored 11 goals and assisted another 11 since moving to Germany. He has won 58 caps from the under-15 to under-21 levels for France. There, he plays with now Leeds teammate Ilan Meslier.

Rutter has scored two goals in 17 games in all competitions this season for Hoffenheim. He is not the most prolific forward, but he is an exciting talent with many positives.

Rutter cannot play in Leeds’ FA Cup replay against Cardiff City at Elland Road as he is inelligible. But the club announced they would present him before the game.

Rutter will likely debut for the club in the Premier League clash against Brentford next week.