Leeds United have since gone up against their one-time record signing, who attracted criticism for the manner in which he left the club
Leeds United went into the January 2023 transfer window with the pressure on, well aware that a successful month could be the difference between top-flight survival and relegation. They splashed the cash, with Georginio Rutter arriving on a big-money deal after the signing of defender Max Wober and before a loan move for midfielder Weston McKennie, but the Rutter episode didn’t end well for player or club.Georginio Rutter
The France Under-21 international joined from Hoffenheim, where he’d been their leading scorer in the 2021/22 campaign with a solid enough return of eight league goals. Leeds spotted potential in the player, who was yet to celebrate his 21st birthday, paying the Bundesliga side a fee that would end up reaching a club-record £35million if all add-ons were met.
I have a lot of energy and technique. Dribbling is my favourite on the pitch,” the new arrival said after putting pen to paper. “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.”
Those hoping for an immediate impact from Rutter would be disappointed. Only one of his 11 Premier League outings came as a starter, and he couldn’t find the net once as the Whites ended a tumultuous season with relegation on the season’s final day.
