Playing in Europe a big factor in my decision to join Albion, says Pascal Struijk

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Defender delighted to swap West Yorkshire for Sussex - and meet up with a former teammate again.

Bruce Talbot

2026-07-03T06:00+01:00

📷James Boardman

The warmth of the comments on social media from former teammates showed just how much Pascal Struijk was regarded at his former club.

But after eight seasons, two promotions to the Premier League and nearly 200 appearances for Leeds United, Struijk is ready for a new challenge with Albion, especially one which involves playing in Europe.

“This is a step I wanted to take to develop as a player and challenge myself with European experience to become a better player,” he said.

"It was a big factor. As a kid, you always dream about playing in international competitions. When you join a new club there are different factors, but this was a really important one. It's a challenge I want to take on, and hopefully we can be successful with it. Seeing the club achieve Europe was a big reason to join.”

There are other factors as to why left-sided central defender, who at 26 is in his prime years, swapped West Yorkshire for the Sussex coast.

“The way Brighton develop players and how they run the club has been pretty successful over the years,” he added.

We sit down with our new signing Pascal Struijk as he joins Albion ahead of the 2026/27 season. #brightonandhovealbion

"The way they play good football is really important to me. It's nice to watch, very intense and very good on the ball. Seeing the results achieved against the top teams is great, but it's not just about winning those games - it's about dominating the play, and allowing all the players to show their qualities. This is something I'm glad to be a part of now.

"I would love to show my qualities and what I can bring to the team on both a Premier League and international level. Hopefully, we can be successful by combining the qualities I have with the qualities already in the team."

Struijk was also impressed after he spoke at length to head coach Fabian Hurzeler too.

"We had good conversations, and he showed me what I would be able to bring to the team, as well as where he could improve me.

“We talked about the steps we can take as a team and me as a player. It was another big part of the reason why I wanted to come."

Struijk scored against Albion at the end of the 2021-22 season when he came off the bench at Elland Road to head an injury-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.

Then and in subsequent games he has always been impressed with Albion’s team spirit and togetherness.

"That's very important to me,” he added. “Over the years, I've been in changing rooms that were a bit more separated, but at Leeds last year we had a really good team bond. I feel like this is what brings success to clubs where you're almost friends within the team. It helps you perform much better."

So does knowing people when you join that environment for the first time.

"Of course, I know Georgi (Georginio Rutter) from his time at Leeds and a few of the Dutch lads, so I think I'll be able to embed myself within the group," he added.

📷James Boardman

“I'm a nice, chilled, calm guy, so hopefully they'll welcome me with open arms. I'm sure they will because Georgi has told me a lot of stories. I'm excited to get started, get to know everyone, and have a good time together."

"Georgi and I are good friends. We had some good times together over at Leeds, and it was very nice to play with him because he's a top player. It's nice to see a familiar face - he can probably show me some nice things around Brighton.

"I come with a lot of optimism. I just want to do the best I can and show the fans what I can do for the team. The goal is to finish as high as possible in the table and try to win the Conference League, of course."