Leeds United agree £20m sale of Pascal Struijk to Brighton

Leeds United have agreed to sell defender Pascal Struijk to Premier League rival Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee reported to be around £20 million. The 26-year-old Dutch centre-back is entering the final year of his contract at Elland Road, and the deal, verbally agreed in principle, is expected to be finalized soon.

The move represents a significant reshaping of the Leeds squad as they prepare for a second consecutive season back in the top flight. Struijk, a key starter who made 33 appearances in the league last season, was offered a new contract by Leeds but is said to have decided to seek a fresh challenge. With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027, the club opted to secure a transfer fee rather than risk losing him for free next year.

Brighton has been in the market for defensive reinforcements following the £52 million sale of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham earlier this month and the departure of experienced defender Adam Webster upon the expiry of his contract. The Seagulls, who will compete in the Europa Conference League next season after an eighth-place finish, are acquiring a left-footed defender familiar with playing in a back three.