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

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psv/M9UEHJWi/"]PSV[/a] have included an option to buy [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/geertruida-lutsharel/zwx6dFjk/"]Geertruida[/a] from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rb-leipzig/KbS1suSm/"]RB Leipzig[/a] in the loan contract. [/p][p]The 26-year-old defender spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Premier League side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a] 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.[/p][embed guid="9195c224-2fb7-4ac1-8792-15b534c6e6cd" url="https://x.com/PSV/status/2090718354575110441?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Geertruida, who was also linked with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ajax/8UOvIwnb/"]Ajax[/a] and a return to boyhood club [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/feyenoord/8zjySeoN/"]Feyenoord[/a], 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.[/p][p][b]"Sometimes there comes a point in your career when you’re ready for a new challenge and start thinking about the right next step,”[/b] Geertruida said on the club website.[/p][p][b]“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."[/b][/p][p]Geertruida was called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/timber-jurrien/hSaoLOM4/"]Jurrien Timber[/a] was forced to leave the squad with a nagging groin injury. The defender stayed on the bench for all four of [i]Oranje[/i]'s World Cup games.[/p][h2]'I'll never forget what Feyenoord has given me'[/h2][p][b]"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," [/b]said Geertruida, who defended his decision after facing a storm of online criticism from Feyenoord fans.[/p][p][b]"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."[/b][/p][image alt="Lutsharel Geertruida's career stats" id="be526fa3-716f-4b72-91fb-80f948049b07" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="633c2530-3a27-44c0-8783-0db9d7b24347" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Geertruida joins PSV ahead of the third round of the new Eredivisie season and days after star midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/veerman-joey/AgXeAAQR/"]Joey Veerman[/a] left for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dortmund/nP1i5US1/"]Borussia Dortmund[/a]. Reigning champions PSV are on 4 points after drawing to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sittard/YH8HX5iP/"]Fortuna Sittard[/a] in the first round and beating [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/excelsior/nNlLsRUr/"]Excelsior[/a] 2-1 last weekend.[/p][p]The 21-time Dutch international closed out his opening statement with another message to Feyenoord fans, wishing for the online hostilities to stop.[/p][p][b]“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.”[/b][/p][p]PSV will continue their Eredivisie season by hosting [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/groningen/MBUGcjb9/"]FC Groningen[/a] in Eindhoven on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/groningen-MBUGcjb9/psv-M9UEHJWi/?mid=hdZnTHXr"]Sunday, August 23rd[/a], at 14.30 CEST.[/p][infobox id="a26dc69f-5d29-48c9-8d0f-786c18f76a2b" /]