RB Leipzig have officially confirmed that Brajan Gruda will remain at the club for the 2026-27 season after reaching an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to extend the attacker’s loan spell. The deal includes an obligation to buy that will be triggered after the 22-year-old plays a few competitive matches, with the Saxony-based outfit set to pay between €25 million and €30 million to make the move permanent.
RBL sporting director Marcel Schäfer announced the agreement on Saturday afternoon, ending speculation over the Germany international’s future. “We are delighted that Brajan will also be playing for RB Leipzig next season,” Schäfer said. “In his first few months with us, he has shown what qualities he brings and how well his profile fits our style of play. Brajan is technically gifted, creative, has great pace, and enriches our attack with his abilities in the final third.”
Second spell secured
The arrangement marks Gruda’s return to the Red Bull Arena following a productive loan stint during the second half of last season. The winger made 14 appearances across all competitions during that period, scoring three goals and providing three assists. Those performances convinced Leipzig to pursue a permanent solution, though the clubs have opted for an initial extension with a mandatory purchase clause to manage the transfer across accounting periods.
Gruda is already in Leipzig and is expected to integrate immediately with Marco Rose’s squad ahead of the new Bundesliga campaign. His familiarity with the club’s tactical approach should allow for a swift reintegration, with the player poised to compete for minutes in the attacking third from the outset.
Financial structure and next steps
The obligatory purchase clause, valued between €25 million and €30 million, will activate once Gruda features in a specified number of competitive fixtures. This mechanism provides Leipzig with short-term flexibility while guaranteeing Brighton a substantial return on a player who found opportunities limited in the Premier League.
The confirmation secures additional depth for Leipzig as they prepare to challenge domestically and in European competition. With Gruda’s technical quality and pace now secured for the campaign, the club have addressed a key area of their squad planning ahead of the season opener.