Leeds complete the signing of Georginio Rutter for a club-record £36million from Hoffenheim

Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim from the Bundesliga for a club record fee.

The 20-year-old signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at Elland Road after passing a medical in a deal worth £36m.

The deal for Frenchman Rutter tops the £27m fee Leeds paid for Rodrigo from Valencia in 2019.

Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim

The 20-year-old Frenchman has scored two goals in 17 games in all competitions this season.

The France under-21 international has scored two goals in 17 games in all competitions this season for Hoffenheim and has an overall record of 11 goals in 64 appearances for the Bundesliga side since joining from Rennes in 2021.

Leeds had taken notice of rival suitors and wanted to ensure they were ahead of the competition, especially after missing out on strikers like Bamba Dieng and Cody Gakpo on deadline day last September. .

A striker has been at the top of Jesse Marsch’s wish list this window and while Rutter is not a prolific striker, his high energy, combined with dribbling skills and work rate give him the ideal profile for the squad. Leeds team.

A new striker had been at the top of Jesse Marsch’s wish list this window.

Rutter would be Leeds’ second acquisition in January, following the signing of Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg for £9.75m last week.

They are also interested in adding two younger players with Birmingham City’s England U19 midfielder George Hall a main target.

Leeds currently sit 14th in the Premier League table following Friday night’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

The Elland Road side will be looking for ways to win when they return to action against Cardiff in the FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday before hosting Brentford in the league next weekend.