The 21-year-old, who joined Brighton from Mainz in 2024, will don the Number 10 shirt and is expected to bring creativity to Leipzig's midfield.

Gruda's time in England saw him make 45 appearances, scoring four goals and providing eight assists. Despite flashes of brilliance, the young winger struggled to secure consistent starts in the Premier League, prompting the move. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler acknowledged the decision, saying, "Brajan wants regular football, and we are not able to guarantee him that in the second half of the season. This loan represents a good move for all parties. It gives him the opportunity to continue his development."

RB Leipzig's managing director for sport, Marcel Schafer, welcomed Gruda to the club, noting the long-standing interest in the German international. "We've had him on our radar for several years and would have liked to bring him to Leipzig in 2024," Schafer explained. "Even after that, contact was never broken. We see Brajan playing in the number eight and ten roles, giving us more options in midfield."

For Gruda, the move is a chance to reignite his career at a club whose style of play suits him. "I was determined to join Leipzig as soon as it became clear that a winter transfer was possible," he said. "The club and management are convinced of my abilities and really want me on the team, which makes me delighted to be here."

The German U21 international, who has 19 caps at youth level and was called up to the senior squad for a friendly against Ukraine in June 2024, comes into a Leipzig side currently fifth in the Bundesliga, three points off the top four. He could make his debut as soon as Sunday when Leipzig travel to Cologne for Matchday 21.

Gruda's move is also part of Brighton's wider strategy of loaning young talent to gain valuable experience abroad. The Seagulls currently have 14 first-team players out on loan, with a combined market value of 159.7 million euros, showcasing the club's innovative approach to player development. While the loan does not include an option to buy, reports suggest Leipzig paid a fee of 1 million euros to secure the deal.

Having overcome an early injury at Brighton and battled for regular minutes in the Premier League, Gruda now heads back to Germany with renewed purpose - both to establish himself at club level and to strengthen his case for inclusion in Germany's senior national team ahead of the next international competitions.

Nedbank Cup Round of 32 draw