Geertruida edited by Xavi for transfer to Leipzig

Lutsharel Geertruida is aiming high with his new club RB Leipzig. "I want to win titles with RB Leipzig. No doubt about it," the 24-year-old Dutchman told the club's own website. With his previous club Feyenoord, for whom the full-back played for twelve years, he had won every possible title, most recently as captain, "for me it was time for something new."

The 13-time international was already on the verge of a move to Leipzig a year ago. "But it didn't work out after all. I believe that everything always happens for a reason. And this year it was meant to be."

This summer, Geertruida, who describes himself as "a bit shy" off the pitch, was worked on by his national team colleague Xavi after the European Championship in Germany. "He tried to convince me to come to RB during my entire vacation in the summer. We were together in the south of France and he kept saying that I absolutely had to come to RB Leipzig."

Feeling comfortable with the ball at his feet

Despite his position as a full-back, Geertruida sees himself as a versatile player who operates in tight spaces and also likes to dribble: "But I also like to win tackles and score goals. And I also feel comfortable when I have the ball at my feet and we have possession."

The professional footballer from the Caribbean island of Curacao hopes that his move to RB will give his career another boost, given the mix of "a lot of young and very talented players and some experienced players", said Geertruida: "And Marco Rose is a very passionate coach who can help me with my development."