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'Not a decision against Feyenoord': PSV confirm loan signing of Lutsharel Geertruida

Lutsharel Geertruida in action for Sunderland during the 2025/26 Premier League season
Lutsharel Geertruida in action for Sunderland during the 2025/26 Premier League seasonNews Images, News Images LTD / Alamy / Profimedia

Lutsharel Geertruida has returned to the Eredivisie and signed a one-year loan deal with reigning champions PSV, the club confirmed on Friday.

PSV have included an option to buy Geertruida from RB Leipzig in the loan contract. 

The 26-year-old defender spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Premier League side Sunderland and clinched a ticket to the UEFA Europa League with the Black Cats. Geertruida appeared in 30 games across all competitions for Sunderland, but was not part of the plans again when he returned to RB Leipzig.

Geertruida, who was also linked with Ajax and a return to boyhood club Feyenoord, where he played 202 games and was captain before joining RB Leipzig in 2024, has said he was looking for a new impulse in his career upon returning to Germany.

"Sometimes there comes a point in your career when you’re ready for a new challenge and start thinking about the right next step,” Geertruida said on the club website.

“In my case, it wasn’t an easy search this time round. I’m 26 years old; I want to play at the highest level, compete for trophies, continue to develop as a player and remain in contention for the Dutch national team."

Geertruida was called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Arsenal's Jurrien Timber was forced to leave the squad with a nagging groin injury. The defender stayed on the bench for all four of Oranje's World Cup games.

'I'll never forget what Feyenoord has given me'

"Following several fruitful discussions with Peter Bosz and the PSV board, I became convinced that this club embodies all the qualities that are important to me at this moment in time," said Geertruida, who defended his decision after facing a storm of online criticism from Feyenoord fans.

"I have taken this decision with great care. I do not expect everyone to understand or accept this decision straight away. But I hope that, in time, there will also be room to recognise just how much love, gratitude and respect I continue to feel for Feyenoord. That is why I want to make one thing very clear: my decision to join PSV is not a decision against Feyenoord. I will never forget what Feyenoord has given me, and it will always remain part of who I am."

Lutsharel Geertruida's career stats
Lutsharel Geertruida's career statsFlashscore

Geertruida joins PSV ahead of the third round of the new Eredivisie season and days after star midfielder Joey Veerman left for Borussia Dortmund. Reigning champions PSV are on 4 points after drawing to Fortuna Sittard in the first round and beating Excelsior 2-1 last weekend.

The 21-time Dutch international closed out his opening statement with another message to Feyenoord fans, wishing for the online hostilities to stop.

“I am now embarking on a new chapter at PSV, with complete conviction and great ambition. I look forward to giving my all for my new club with great determination and to achieving success together this season. I hope we can continue to seek common ground and try to foster understanding for each other’s situations.”

PSV will continue their Eredivisie season by hosting FC Groningen in Eindhoven on Sunday, August 23rd, at 14.30 CEST.

As the summer transfer window ramps up, Flashscore has everything you need to keep up with breaking news, rumours and analysis. Follow our live transfer blog to follow the biggest moves, whilst expert Dean Jones will be on hand to provide the inside stories from around the world.

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