The January transfer window proved crucial for Leeds in 2023, with top-flight survival hanging in the balance. Alongside bringing in defender Max Wober and midfielder Weston McKennie on loan, they invested heavily to secure Georginio Rutter, though matters didn’t work out well for either party.

France Under-21 international Rutter joined from Hoffenheim, where he had been their leading scorer the previous campaign, although with just eight league goals. Leeds spotted potential in the player, who hadn’t yet reached 21, and paid the Bundesliga side a fee that would rise to a club-record £35million, including add-ons.

“I have a lot of energy and technique. Dribbling is my favourite on the pitch,” the forward declared upon his arrival. “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.”

If Leeds hoped for an immediate impact from Rutter, they would be disappointed. Only one of his 11 top-flight outings came as a starter, and he couldn’t find the net once as the Yorkshire club went down on the final day of the season.

He remained for a campaign in the second tier, contributing 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, he departed for the Premier League despite that Wembley disappointment.

Rutter, seizing the chance to depart Elland Road, proved difficult for some supporters to accept, though there was an understanding that Brighton had activated a release clause. Nevertheless, the manner in which the transfer was revealed sparked considerable controversy.

On Brighton’s official X account, the club posted footage of Rutter writing a message that stated “Don’t go to bed just yet..”

Whilst the player himself may not have fully understood the significance, the phrasing deliberately echoed a notorious Leeds social media post from 2014 where supporters received the same warning, expecting new arrivals as a result, only to witness confirmation that Matt Smith and Dominic Poleon had departed the club.

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As documented at the time by The Mirror, supporters reacted unfavourably to the entire episode. One criticised Rutter for: “Absolutely no grace, no class there at all. Most fans would have wished you well but this is a really stupid thing to do.”

Another commented: “Getting a player to do that when he doesn’t know the meaning behind it is low”.

Though there was some disagreement, 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 first team in August 2024, Rutter has rapidly established himself as a regular for Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler. He found the net five times in 28 league appearances last season, including during a memorable victory away to Manchester United, whilst also scoring three times throughout a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

He featured in the starting line-up against Leeds in November when the Seagulls secured a 3-0 victory at the Amex Stadium.