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RB Leipzig completed the biggest deal of all Bundesliga clubs on ‘Deadline Day’ and signed Lutsharel Geertruida.
Update from August 30, 2024, 10 p.m.: Barely 70 minutes after the announcement about Geertruida, Leipzig also confirmed Simakan’s departure. Curiously, the new club in Saudi Arabia is not mentioned. “Mohamed Simakan is leaving RB Leipzig with immediate effect and is joining a club abroad. The transfer will be made official in the coming days,” the Message from RB Leipzig.
First report from August 30, 2024: Leipzig – The ‘Deadline Day’ is in the Bundesliga Not unexpectedly, the deal went off without any major sensations. The financially strong clubs had largely done their homework beforehand, and the market as a whole had never really reached full steam in the summer. RB Leipzig made the biggest deal at the transfer deadline.
The Saxons confirmed the signing of Lutsharel Geertruida on Friday evening (30 August), 20 minutes after the official deadline. The Dutch European Championship semi-finalist comes to Cottaweg from Feyenoord, and his transfer is said to cost a base fee of around 20 million euros, according to media reports. Leipzig has given the new signing a five-year contract until 2029.
Lutsharel Geertruida is considered a one-to-one replacement for Mohamed Simakan
The transfer is seen as an anticipatory reaction to the departure of Mohamed Simakan, whose transfer to the Saudi club of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, al-Nassr, is about to be completed. Since transfers are still possible in Saudi Arabia until October 6th, there is no need to rush. The signing of Geertruida is nevertheless a clear indication of Simakan’s departure.
Lutsharel Geertruida comes from Feyenoord to RB Leipzig. © IMAGO
Like the Frenchman, Geertruida can play equally well on the right side of defence or on the inside. “He is a physical defender, strong in tackles and plays with high intensity, as well as fast, agile, ball-ready and athletic,” says sporting director Rouven Schröder in Leipzig’s official transfer announcement.
“He only wanted RB Leipzig as his next step”
Geertruida had been in the sights of German clubs, and Leipzig in particular, for some time. From Schröder’s point of view, the strong character of the purchase was shown by “the fact that Lutsharel waited patiently for this opportunity until the end of the transfer period and we were now able to sign him at the second attempt. He only wanted RB Leipzig as the next step.” The 24-year-old himself stressed that it was his “great wish” to move to RB.
“I am all the happier to be playing here from now on. Xavi always raved about Leipzig to me and told me about the outstanding conditions and the ambitions of the club.” He is referring to midfielder Xavi Simons, whose renewed loan from Paris Saint-Germain was successful despite competition from FC Bayern is considered a transfer coup.
