Leeds United have since gone up against their one-time record signing, who attracted criticism for the manner in which he left the club
Georginio Rutter joined Leeds in a club-record deal(Image: PA)
Leeds United went into the January 2023 transfer window with the pressure on, well aware that a successful month could be the difference between top-flight survival and relegation. They splashed the cash, with Georginio Rutter arriving on a big-money deal after the signing of defender Max Wober and before a loan move for midfielder Weston McKennie, but the Rutter episode didn’t end well for player or club.
The France Under-21 international joined from Hoffenheim, where he’d been their leading scorer in the 2021/22 campaign with a solid enough return of eight league goals. Leeds spotted potential in the player, who was yet to celebrate his 21st birthday, paying the Bundesliga side a fee that would end up reaching a club-record £35million if all add-ons were met.
“I have a lot of energy and technique. Dribbling is my favourite on the pitch,” the new arrival said after putting pen to paper. “Football is for the fans, and they are very important for the club, and I want to do more, bring a lot of energy for the fans in the stadium.”
Those hoping for an immediate impact from Rutter would be disappointed. Only one of his 11 Premier League outings came as a starter, and he couldn’t find the net once as the Whites ended a tumultuous season with relegation on the season’s final day.
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He remained for a year in the Championship to attempt to fire Leeds straight back to the top flight, notching eight goals and 16 assists across all competitions as Daniel Farke’s side finished third before falling short in the play-offs. When Brighton arrived with a £40m offer, meeting his release clause, there was nothing Leeds could do.
Rutter seizing the chance to depart Elland Road was hard for some supporters to stomach, though some may have understood the desire to return to the Premier League. However, the manner in which the transfer was confirmed left a sour taste in the mouth.
On Brighton’s official X account, the club posted footage of Rutter writing a message that stated “Don’t go to bed just yet..” Even if Rutter himself might not have fully grasped the significance, the phrase looked to be a deliberate reference to a notorious Leeds post from 2014 where supporters received the same warning – anticipating fresh arrivals – only to discover it preceded confirmation that Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon had departed the club.
Rutter is now in his second season as a Brighton player(Image: Getty Images)
At the time, supporters were far from impressed with the entire episode. One accused Rutter of: “Absolutely no grace, no class there at all. Most fans would have wished you well, but this is a really stupid thing to do.
“Getting a player to do that when he doesn’t know the meaning behind it is low,” another posted, seemingly directing criticism towards Brighton. Though some disagreed, with one stating: “Rutter is a grown man. He’d have known what that tweet meant. Not having it.”
Following a gradual introduction to the starting XI under Fabian Hurzeler, Rutter has swiftly established himself as a trusted figure at Brighton. He netted five times in 28 league appearances last campaign, including during a memorable victory away at Manchester United, whilst also finding the net three times en route to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
He took to the pitch against Leeds in November, helping the Seagulls secure a 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium. It’s still uncertain what kind of welcome he’ll receive when he returns to Elland Road in May, considering the controversy surrounding his departure.
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