Brighton sold centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke to Spurs earlier this month. Matt McNulty/Getty Images
June 27, 2026 Updated at 6:02 p.m. ET.
Leeds United have verbally agreed a £20 million ($26.4 million) deal with Brighton & Hove Albion for the sale of Pascal Struijk.
Terms of the transfer were agreed on Saturday and Brighton were set to formally submit an offer to Leeds.
Several sources familiar with the deal, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed the agreed fee was £20 million. Struijk’s contract at Elland Road was due to expire in June 2027, meaning Leeds risked losing the 26-year-old for nothing in 12 months unless he was sold and tied down to new terms this summer.
Struijk leaves after eight-and-a-half years in West Yorkshire, during which time he made 196 appearances for Leeds. Ajax’s academy graduates took part in each of the club’s league titles in the 2019–20 and 2024–25 seasons.
Meanwhile, Brighton were looking to strengthen their defense after selling Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur for £52m earlier this month. Fabian Hurtzeler’s team has also repeatedly made bids for Spurs central defender Luka Vušković, who will take part in the World Cup with Croatia.
What about Leeds now?
Daniel Farke’s side will now look to fill the void left in their squad by Strujke’s departure. The Dutchman was United’s only natural senior left-footed centre-back and they will now need to recruit someone of the same type.
United were keen to keep Strujk. They offered him a new contract that would keep him at the club during the peak years of his career, but sources close to the player made it clear that he was ready for a new challenge.
Illan Meslier is the only player Leeds have confirmed this summer, while earlier this week Athletic Harry Wilson has reportedly agreed terms on a contract with the club that comes into effect on July 1.
June 27, 2026
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