Brajan Gruda Loaned By Brighton To RB Leipzig For Second Half Of Season

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Brighton have sent attacking midfielder Brajan Gruda on loan to RB Leipzig for the rest of the season, giving the 21-year-old a return to the Bundesliga as Leipzig chase Champions League qualification during the second half of the 2025-26 campaign.

The Germany international has struggled for consistent starts under Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler, especially since Pascal Gross rejoined from Borussia Dortmund earlier in January, and Gruda now moves to RB Leipzig with the aim of playing regular first-team football at a high level.

"Brajan wants regular football, and we are not able to guarantee him that in the second half of the season, so this loan represents a good move for all parties, Hurzeler said. This move gives him that opportunity, a chance to continue his development, and we wish him well for the remainder of the season."

Gruda joined Brighton from Mainz in August 2024 for a fee of 31.5m (27.3m) and has since played 45 matches in all competitions. This season, Gruda has featured 18 times in the Premier League, with 10 appearances as a substitute, and has not secured a constant starting role at the American Express Stadium.

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RB Leipzig currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga table, three points behind Stuttgart, who hold the final Champions League position, despite losing 2-1 to Mainz on Saturday. Gruda’s arrival is intended to strengthen Leipzig’s creative options between midfield and attack for the run-in.

Leipzig were also active elsewhere on deadline day, completing a permanent deal on Monday for 19-year-old winger Ayodele Thomas from PSV, adding further attacking depth alongside the Brajan Gruda RB Leipzig loan as the Bundesliga club balances domestic targets with squad development.

The Brajan Gruda RB Leipzig loan offers Brighton and Hurzeler a chance to monitor development away from the Premier League, while Leipzig gain a versatile midfielder as the Bundesliga season enters a decisive stage, with both clubs expecting the arrangement to serve their longer-term plans.