Leeds United summer transfer latest: Pascal Struijk completes move to Brighton - plus a club admission
LEEDS UNITED defender Pascal Struijk has sealed his move to Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.
The Belgium-born player, who was due to start the final year of his contract on Wednesday, joined United as a teenager from Ajax Amsterdam in 2018.
The deal is thought to be worth around £20million. A future sell-on clause is included in the transfer.
Struijk, who has been subject of transfer interest and offers from elsewhere throughout his time in West Yorkshire - including last summer - made 196 appearances for the club.
The sale also helps Leeds to remain fully compliant within profit and sustainability (PSR) rules over a three-year accounting window ending on June 30.
Leeds did previously table a significantly improved contract offer to the Dutch youth international - promoted twice to the Premier League in his stint with United - and his representatives ahead of him entering the final 12 months of his contract.
But Struijk, who made 34 top-flight appearances last term and captained the side on several occasions while at Leeds, was keen to pursue a new challenge after previously showing loyalty to the Elland Road outfit, with the United hierarchy receptive to his wishes.
The 26-year-old will fill the central defensive gap at Albion recently vacated by Netherlands international Jan Paul van Hecke following his £52m move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Struijk links up with former Leeds team-mate Georginio Rutter at the Amex Stadium.