Former Leeds United forward Georgino Rutter admits he has some nerves ahead of his first meeting with his old club in the Premier League this weekend.
Georgino Rutter endured a tough start to life with Leeds, having parachuted into their Premier League relegation battle in the 2022/23 season.
After being discarded by Sam Allardyce, Rutter eventually broke into the Leeds side under Daniel Farke in the Championship as he starred in Leeds’ run to a play-off final.
He left Leeds at the beginning of the 2024/25 season, joining Brighton in a big-money move and settling quickly into life in the Premier League.
Now, Rutter has admitted that he is anxious about what reception he will receive from the Leeds fans as he prepares to face his former club.
Georgino Rutter admits nerves over Leeds United reunion
Speaking to the Argus ahead of Leeds’ trip to Brighton, Rutter admitted that he had mixed feelings ahead of his reunion with Leeds.
Rutter has been told that he needs to improve his efficiency in front of goal ahead of the game; however, he is concerned that he may receive a hostile reception from the Leeds fans after his exit.
Asked what reception he expects to receive from the Leeds fans, Rutter said: “I have no idea, but I understand in football when some fans are angry because you leave the team.
“I understand a bit, but it’s football. I know I was loving Leeds, I was loving my team-mates. When I said ‘bye bye’ to them, I was very emotional because it was a very hard decision,” before concluding: “It will be great and we will see what happens.”
Leeds United fans have fond memories of Georgino Rutter
Although Georgino Rutter was one of the players Leeds were forced to sell following their failure to secure a return to the top flight, fans generally have fond memories of the forward.
Several former Leeds players have received frosty receptions on their first encounters with Leeds fans. Tyler Adams was regularly booed on his return to Elland Road.
Rutter’s former Leeds team-mate Crysencio Summerville was also booed when he was substituted in Leeds’ recent victory over West Ham.
However, Rutter will most likely avoid the ire of Leeds fans, as he was a firm favourite with the crowd, who quickly warmed to his infectious personality and enthusiasm both on and off the field.
Rutter did not agitate for a move or refuse to play, unlike other players who left Elland Road around that time. As a result, he is likely to avoid the boos of the travelling Leeds fans.
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