RB Leipzig have reached an agreement with Brighton to sign Brajan Gruda on loan, The Brighton Base can reveal.
The German is set to join the Bundesliga outfit on a straight loan deal, with no option to buy, after striking an agreement with the Seagulls.
Gruda has made 20 appearances for Brighton in all competitions so far this season, scoring three goals and registering three assists. He was absent from Brighton’s matchday squad for their 1-1 draw with Everton over the weekend with a knock.
With his minutes not guaranteed for the remainder of the campaign, Gruda is eager to keep his hopes of featuring for Germany at this summer’s World Cup alive by asserting himself as a key player under Leipzig boss Ole Werner.
The versatile forward is capable of playing on either flank and as a No. 10, with Fabian Hurzeler also calling on the 21-year-old to lead the line for his side on occasions in the absence of Danny Welbeck and Georginio Rutter.
With Brighton striking an agreement with Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille earlier this weekend to recall Matt O’Riley from his loan spell in France, Gruda’s loan can now be accelerated.
The versatile forward joined the Seagulls in 2024 from Bundesliga outfit Mainz in a deal worth in the region of £25million, penning a four-year deal at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton managed to fend off competition from a host of top European outfits, including Bayern Munich, to secure the signature of the playmaker, and they will therefore be hoping that a brief return to his homeland will allow their No. 8 to accelerate his development, as well as truly put himself in the running for a spot in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad this summer.
Fellow young winger Tommy Watson also recently left the Seagulls on loan for the second half of the season, with Championship side Millwall winning the race to secure his signature, amid competition from a host of their rivals.