After seven years in the south coast of England, German midfielder {statorium_player pid=509 text="Pascal Gross"} will be returning to his homeland to feature for Die Schwarzengelben.
Gross has been with {statorium_team tid=19 text="Brighton and Hove Albion"} since their return to the top flight of English football and helped them qualify for European football in the 2022/23 season, which would be their first time qualifying for an European tournament in the 20th century.
He has become a key and loved figure among Seagulls fans, who especially remember his performances any time they come up against {statorium_team tid=7 text="Manchester United"}.
Up until the end of the 2023/24 season in which they made it all the way to the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League, Gross had played 261 matches across all competitions for them, scoring 32 goals and assisting 52 goals. The five goals and 13 assists he provided in all competitions for the Seagulls last season now look to be his last after the club agreed a €7 million transfer fee with Borussia Dortmund while he was on holiday after his participation in the 2024 European Championship with the Germany national team.
This news was reported by Fabrizio Romano, who also claims that all paperwork to transfer the player from Brighton to {statorium_team tid=42 text="Dortmund"} will have been signed within the next 48 hours.
Gross will join Stuttgart duo {statorium_player pid=1570 text="Waldemar Anton"} and {statorium_player pid=2152 text="Serhou Guirassy"} as the BVB’s third summer signing, leaving Brighton with the task of finding a midfielder to replace the German.
New manager Fabian Hürzeler has already hit the ground running in pre-season, picking up two wins in their Japan tour. He has done so with a squad who could be the youngest in the Premier League next season following Gross’ exit.
One of the players who has impressed in pre-season for the club is 18-year-old {statorium_player pid=61572 text="Malick Yalcouye"}, who joined from Gothenburg in June. Brighton defender Joel Veltmann expressed awe about the youngster's ability to the media following their latest pre-season win.
“There are lots of positives, like the new guys who have come in like Malick,” Veltmann said. “He is 18 years old and played like he is 26. He is a No.6 or No.8 and very good on the ball.”
“Physically he needs to improve. But I wasn’t there when I was 18! So well done to him.”
“Especially on the ball, he is very good.”
Brighton will face Queens Park Rangers and then Villarreal in pre-season before they get their 2024/25 season underway with a trip to Everton. In the meantime, they will be looking for a replacement for Gross, whose talents they will sorely miss.