Brighton & Hove Albion agree deal to sign Pascal Struijk from Leeds United | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion have reached an agreement in principle to sign Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk.

The 26-year-old Dutch defender, who has established himself as a reliable and versatile presence at Elland Road over the past seven seasons, is set to complete a move to the AMEX Stadium after contract extension talks with the West Yorkshire club stalled.

With Struijk entering the final year of his contract, which runs until June 2027, Leeds have made the pragmatic decision to part ways with the ‘crucial’ Dutchman rather than risk a free transfer next summer.

Brighton will pay Leeds £20 million for Struijk, handing manager Fabian Hurzeler his second signing of the summer window and leaving Daniel Farke with a defensive gap to fill.

Standing at 190cm, Struijk possesses an imposing physical presence and ball-carrying composure that make him an ideal fit for Brighton’s style of play.

His versatility also makes him a shrewd addition; while he primarily operates as a central defender, he has logged significant minutes as both a left-back and a defensive midfielder during his 198 senior appearances for Leeds.

Struijk’s impending arrival follows Jan Paul van Hecke’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur, leaving Brighton in need of a replacement.

The Seagulls submitted multiple bids for Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic, but Spurs remained firm in their not-for-sale stance.

It remains to be seen whether Brighton will continue their pursuit of Vuskovic, having now wrapped up a deal for Struijk as they prepare to return to Europe next season.

For Struijk, the move offers a fresh sporting project and the promise of top-flight stability after helping Leeds win the Championship in 2020 and 2025.