Brighton star Georginio Rutter reveals ‘new adventure’ which will cost him thousands

Footballers have time to fill between training and games, so it’s no surprise that Brighton star Georginio Rutter has announced a ‘new adventure’.

A lot of Premier League stars take up intriguing new hobbies as they attempt to use their free time wisely.

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Arsenal hero Eberechi Eze and a host of others have taken up chess in recent years.

Man City’s Phil Foden goes fishing, meanwhile Chelsea legend Petr Cech took up playing drums when he wasn’t making flying saves.

So what’s Rutter up to?

He’s levelling up his Pokemon collecting and starting a TikTok channel so fans can join in the fun.

The former Leeds forward opened up the Pokegrt account and immediately posted his first video.

Already a known collector thanks to his other TikTok account georginio.rutter.

In the middle of the usual esports and football compilations, he showcased himself opening packs of the Pokemon set Surging Sparks.

Now, as interest in both the Japanese franchise and other trading card games grow, Rutter is attempting to make waves online.

He said in an opening video: “Hey, Georgi is here. New Pokemon channel here for the Pokemon fans.

“I’m going to show you a lot of things about Pokemon on this account.

TikTok - PokeGR

PokeGR

“Follow me. We’re going to discuss [a lot]. I’m going to show you a bit of what I have here.”

“It’s for French people too,” he said after speaking in English, before finishing in a flourish of his mother tongue.

At the end of the clip, he gave fans a glimpse of his collection.

As well as toys of Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Dragonite and Zorua, he allowed a sneak peek at his sealed collection.

Seasoned collectors often keep unopened packs, as well as cards, in their stockpile.

Within Rutter’s lot was a Jungle booster pack from 1999, with a price-tag of €800 (£700), while there is also a Team Rocket Pack from 2000 worth €620 (£520).

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That will be just a fraction of his collection having previously spoken about his love for the Japanese cartoon critters.

Some cards, if graded at a PSA 10, are worth hundreds of thousands, while Logan Paul bought a rare Pikachu Illustrator card for $5,275,000 (£3.9m) in 2021.

Rutter’s favourite Pokemon, you ask? Well, it’s not one from the original 151.

He favours Raikou, an electric-type Legendary Pokemon seen in the Johto region alongside Entei and Suicune.

This isn’t even Rutter’s only hobby away from the Beautiful Game.

He’s also a keen racehorse owner with one even named Brighlee after the two English clubs he’s played for – Brighton and Leeds.

Insta - Georginio.Rutter

Having grown up near a track in France, seeing horses around the UK upon his arrival sparked a new passion.

“When I moved from Hoffenheim to England, I saw stables everywhere,” he told L’Equipe. “That’s when I knew I wanted to own a horse.”

He has French trainer David Menuisier looking after some of his nags and the pair have bonded over their mutual interest.

“We can talk about horses for hours,” Menuisier said. “He’s not like other owners — he understands this world and cares deeply.”