The lowdown on Pascal Struijk

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Here's what Albion fans can expect from Pascal Struijk.

Richie Mills

2026-07-10T06:00+01:00

Pascal Struijk made 34 Premier League appearances for Leeds last season. 📸 by James Boardman.

Pascal Struijk has shown he can be a “man mountain” at Premier League level, as he continues to mature as a defender.

That is according to Beren Cross, Leeds United writer for The Athletic, who believes the 26-year-old has come of age in the past couple of years.

The centre-back was on the fringes when Leeds won the Championship in 2020 and endured a difficult period when they were relegated from the Premier League in 2023, but he was a regular fixture in their second-tier triumph in 2025.

After helping Daniel Farke’s team comfortably stay up last season, Struijk heads to Brighton on a contract until 2031, ending an eight-and-a-half-year stay at Elland Road.

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"It’s been a steady trajectory for Struijk at Leeds; he’s improved in line with his age. Solid is probably the right word," said Cross. "He is very much a left-sided centre-back.

"Leeds moved to three centre-backs midway through last season which probably suited him even better. He can play on the left of a back four, but he’s a touch more exposed there.

"In the space of a week last season, Struijk was man of the match in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth. They battered Leeds but Struijk kept the score down almost single-handedly.

"He was phenomenal with his defensive contributions, a man mountain on the night. But then, in an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, it was his error that was punished for the only goal of a tight game."

Pascal Struijk helped Leeds to promotion from the Championship on two occasions. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Struijk made 196 appearances for Leeds, scoring 14 goals along the way. And in the past two campaigns, the Dutchman played 75 times, the majority of which were starts.

It appears his injury record has improved, with Struijk second only to teammate Ethan Ampadu in Premier League starts last term (35 vs 33).

Cross added that Leeds wanted to keep Struijk but the former Netherlands under-17 international sought a new challenge with Brighton.

"His injury record was better last season. In the Championship-winning campaign (2025) Struijk started 31 of 46 games; the campaign before that, he started 22 of 46," added Cross.

Pascal Struijk getting to work on the first day of training after the summer break. 📸 by James Boardman.

"When he’s fit, he’s faster than he looks. He’s a ball magnet at set-pieces, with his teammates previously saying he’s got this knack of getting his head on attacking set pieces, which is obviously a massive asset.

"He had a very high expected goals tally without scoring last season but generally he can be a goal threat at set pieces. He was a good character in the dressing room, very popular and he’s matured. He’s also stronger and bulkier now than when he first came through."

Fellow Leeds reporter Adonis Storr stressed that Struijk is also very capable on the ball, can progress with the ball with ease and rarely misplaces passes.

And although last season was the best of his career, there is still room for improvement.

Pascal Struijk signed a five-year deal with Albion. 📸 by James Boardman.

Storr said, "Pascal is physically strong and mentally calm. He is a very consistent passer and has a good sense of when to calm a game down.

"As with any young player Struijk has also been capable of the odd lapse in concentration, leading to dangerous situations for his team.

"But Pascal has improved over time at Leeds, and last season was perhaps his best. He is always fully committed, has become a reliable and solid defender at Premier League level and I’m sure he will be a consistent performer for Brighton.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if he did well, especially in Europe, as he is best in a possession-based style of play."