Transfers
Brighton’s €23m gamble on Pascal Struijk after van Hecke exit
Dutch defender Pascal Struijk has joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Leeds United on a five‑year deal worth more than €23 million, sealing a move announced today via the club’s official channels. The transfer, confirmed at 21:20, gives Brighton a seasoned Premier League centre‑back as they rebuild after Jan Paul van Hecke’s departure.
Manager Fabian Hürzeler said Struijk is exactly the type of player the Seagulls wanted to add this summer because of his Premier League experience and the belief that his best years lie ahead. He praised the defender’s defensive actions, comfort on the ball and occasional captaincy at Leeds, noting that his style fits Brighton’s system.
The signing comes after Jan Paul van Hecke left Brighton for Tottenham Hotspur, creating a vacancy in the back line that the club needed to fill promptly. Hürzeler’s comments suggest the new acquisition is intended to directly replace the departing Dutch full‑back.
Struijk moved from Ajax to Leeds United in 2018, never having made an official first‑team appearance for the Dutch club. He amassed 196 appearances for Leeds, establishing himself as a regular in the Premier League.
The contract runs for five years, binding Struijk to Brighton until mid‑2031. This long‑term commitment reflects the club’s confidence in his ability to become a core defensive figure.
For Brighton, the deal adds leadership and depth to a squad that lost a key defender, while Struijk secures a stable future at a club eager to compete in the Premier League. Both parties anticipate mutual benefit as the season progresses.