Sunderland has completed the signing of Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, adding a versatile and highly-rated defender to their squad. The 24-year-old joins the Black Cats after a challenging season in Germany, where he struggled to secure a consistent starting role.
Geertruida’s move to RB Leipzig in 2024 from his boyhood club Feyenoord was seen as a significant step in his career. However, his time in Germany did not go as planned. During the 2024/25 campaign, he started just 17 Bundesliga games, made seven appearances as a substitute, and was an unused substitute in seven more matches. This lack of game time has led to his transfer to Sunderland, offering him a fresh start to recapture his form. Prior to his move to Germany, Geertruida was a mainstay at Feyenoord, making 202 appearances for the club between 2018 and 2024.
His arrival is a major boost for Sunderland, who are acquiring a player with significant top-flight experience and international pedigree, having been capped 17 times for the Netherlands. Geertruida’s versatility is a key asset, as he is capable of playing both as a center-half and a right-back, providing the team with tactical flexibility. The defender, who remains under contract at RB Leipzig until 2029, is now set to join fellow Dutch international and Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, who is reportedly also moving to the club in a separate €20 million deal. The dual arrival of these two players signals a clear statement of intent from Sunderland in the transfer market.
