Brighton and Hove Albion winger Brajan Gruda has admitted he joined RB Leipzig at the end of the January transfer window with the World Cup in mind.

Kicker cover comments from the midfielder today. He joined Leipzig late in the window in a surprise transfer that few would have seen coming.

The 21-year-old is spending the rest of the season with the Bundesliga side, however, the deal does not include an option for the Bundesliga side to buy him at the end of it.

The move was something of a surprising one given Brighton paid €31.5m to sign him in 2024. He’s never truly settled with the Seagulls, though. This season, for instance, he’s managed 18 appearances in the Premier League but just 896 minutes. That’s 33% of the available minutes.

That was clearly a defining factor for the winger. He admits he’s got his eye on the World Cup, and the move may just help that.

“I’d be lying if I said no,” he replied when asked if he had the tournament as his goal.

“I’ve always been in contact with RB. The club suits me, and so does their style of...