On Wednesday evening, it was confirmed that Brighton & Hove Albion had signed Mainz midfielder Brajan Gruda.
It is understood that the Bundesliga side will receive €35 million, including future bonuses for the 20-year-old, who subsequently agreed to sign a four-year deal at the AMEX stadium.
Crucially for Mainz, however, the 05ers have secured a sell-on clause in the deal for Gruda.
Nevertheless, the upcoming campaign could be a difficult one for Mainz to navigate without their midfield maestro, who was prized away by former St. Pauli head coach Fabian Hürzeler.
It is believed that the 31-year-old was key in ensuring Gruda arrived in the Premier League this summer, and speaking about the midfielder’s arrival, Hürzeler stated:
“I wouldn’t say he is a typical German. I think he has amazing skills with the ball. He’s like a boy from the street, as we say in German. He likes to dribble; he likes to have the ball at his feet. He can do special things!“
“We need to give Brajan time. He comes from Germany. He is very young; it’s a different culture here. The Premier League is the best league in the world. We try to integrate him as fast as possible and give him all the support and help he needs, like all the other players, to try to improve him and make him ready for the Premier League.“
As well as Gruda, the Seagulls are trying to secure the signing of another former Bundesliga talent: Leeds United’s Georginio Rutter.
Should Brighton lure the former Hoffenheim striker to the Sussex Coast this summer, then there would certainly be a significant amount of talent for fans of the Bundesliga to watch out for this season at the AMEX stadium.
GGFN | Will Shopland
