Another talented new arrival for RBL!
RB Leipzig have secured the services of Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida on the final day of the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old joins from Feyenoord and has put pen to paper on a five-year contract until 2029. He will wear the number 3 for RBL.
Lutsharel Geertruida usually features at right-back, but is able to play at a number of different positions, including as a centre-back and in defensive midfield.
Welcome to Leipzig, Lutsharel!
Marcel Schäfer, managing director for sport
- “After having brought in Xavi, Assan Ouedraogo, Antonio Nusa and Arthur Vermeeren, we’re delighted to have been able to secure another talented player this summer in Lutsharel Geetruida. His qualities as a player will be of immediate benefit to us. His signing is also another commitment to the path we’re pursuing of bringing players with potential to RB Leipzig.
Lutsharel was a regular starter for Feyenoord over the last five years and was able to win several titles during his time as captain of the side, during which he also earned his first senior call-up for the Netherlands.”
Rouven Schröder, sporting director
- “Lutsharel Geertruida can play at a variety of positions, including in the centre of a back-three or back-four, as a full-back or as a defensive midfielder. As a defender, he’s defined by his physicality, ability to win tackles and play with intensity, as well as being quick, agile, skilled on the ball and athletic.
He’s also good at taking and setting up shots, meaning he can pose a threat on goal. Additionally, he brings leadership qualities and has an excellent character, something that has once again been demonstrated by the fact that Lutsharel waited patiently until the end of the transfer window for this opportunity, as our second attempt to sign him has now been successful. He wanted to take his next steps at RB Leipzig.”
Lutsharel Geertruida
- “Finally, I can say that I’m an RB Leipzig player! It is no secret that we’ve been in contact for a while now and I really hoped to be able to join the Red Bulls, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be here. My good friend Xavi always spoke highly of Leipzig and told me about the incredible facilities here and the club’s high ambitions. Now I can be a part of that and also share the pitch with Xavi and the other guys.
I’m joining a team that has huge potential and plays amazing football, in a fantastic stadium too. I played with the Netherlands in Leipzig against France at EURO 2024 and it’s awesome that I now get to play in the Red Bull Arena in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.
The season has already begun, so there’s no time to lose. I need to familiarise myself with everything as quickly as possible and really soak it all up. I know what I’m capable of, I can play a number of positions, and I’m keen to take on responsibility. Ultimately though, I want to help the team where our coach Marco Rose feels I’m needed. The whole club is determined to achieve maximum success, and I’m no different, so let’s do it!”
Born and raised in Rotterdam
Not only was Lutsharel Geertruida born and raised in Rotterdam, but it’s also where he began playing football and, later on, made his professional debut. The defender started his career at Overmaas, Spartaan ’20 Youth and Sparta Rotterdam Youth, before then joining the Feyenoord academy in 2012.
He made his professional debut as a 17-year-old in a 4-1 win against AVV Swift in the Dutch Cup on 25th October 2017. A year later, he made his professional debut in the Europa League (4-0 loss against AS Trencin in a UEL qualifier on 9th August 2018), as well as his first appearance in the Eredivisie (2-2 vs. ADO Den Haag on 23rd December 2018).
First-team regular and captain
Geertruida became a regular part of Feyenoord’s first-team from the 2019/20 season, featuring in 31 competitive games for the club that term (23 starts). In the seasons that followed, he not only developed into a leader and key figure for the side, but also showcased his ability to pose a threat on goal. He scored eight goals in the Eredivisie in 2023/24, in addition to setting up a further five and wearing the armband on several occasions. Geertruida captained Feyenoord this season as well, ahead of his move to Leipzig.
Player stats while at Feyenoord (across all competitions at professional level):
- 2019/20: 31 games
- 2020/21: 37 games, 8 goals, 2 assists
- 2021/22: 43 games, 4 goals, 1 assist
- 2022/23: 41 games, 3 goals, 3 assists
- 2023/24: 47 games, 9 goals, 5 assists
Winner of several titles in the Netherlands
The defender was part of the Feyenoord squad that won the Eredivisie title in 2022/23. He then added a Dutch Cup to his list of trophies in 2023/24, before winning the Dutch Supercup this summer against PSV. Geertuida scored in the shootout as Feyenoord won 4-2 on penalties (4-4), with our new signing captaining the side as they lifted the trophy.
After making 41 appearances for the Netherlands at youth level, Geertruida made his senior debut on 24th March 2023, coming on in the 87th minute of a 4-0 defeat against France. He has now been capped 11 times for his country, featuring in two games at EURO 2024 in Germany this past summer against France (0-0 in Leipzig) and Austria (3-2 defeat).
Profile
- Name: Lutsharel Geertruida
- Date of birth: 18th July 2000
- Age: 24
- Place of birth: Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- Nationality: Dutch
- Shirt number: 3
- Position: Defence
- Strong foot: Right
- Height: 1.84m
Career stats
- Eredivisie: 144 games, 19 goals, 9 assists
- TOTO KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup): 16 games, 3 goals
- UEFA Champions League: 6 games
- UEFA Europa League (incl. play-offs): 22 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
- UEFA Conference League: 12 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
- Netherlands (senior level): 11 games
- Netherlands (youth level): 41 games, 4 goals
- Titles: Eredivisie champions (2022/24), Dutch Cup winner (2017/18, 2023/24), Dutch Supercup winner (2019, 2025)
Previous clubs
- from 08/2024: RB Leipzig
- 07/2018 to 08/2024: Feyenoord Rotterdam
- Youth clubs: RV & AV Overmaas Rotterdam, Spartaan ’20 Youth, Sparta Rotterdam Youth, Feyenoord