Brighton icon Pascal Gross disclosed that the club’s new head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, put forth considerable effort to persuade him to remain at the team.

At the age of 33, Gross bid farewell to the Seagulls during the summer transfer period to make a move to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund for a fee approximating £6m. Ever since Brighton’s ascent to the Premier League in 2018, the German midfielder had been a pivotal player for the club. He was the initial top-flight acquisition for Albion, arriving from FC Ingolstadt 04 for a sum around £2.5m, and went on to amass 261 appearances, tallying 32 goals and contributing 52 assists. His consistent performances and adaptability on the pitch endeared him to the supporters, earning admiration not only from the fans but also from former Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Albion’s new German manager, Hurzeler, made it publicly known that he was keen on retaining Gross for at least another season. However, the irresistible appeal of Dortmund—the team he adored since childhood—and the prospect of competing in the Champions League proved too alluring for Gross to turn down.

In his conversation with Kicker regarding discussions with Hurzeler, Gross stated, “We had a transparent dialogue. I also made it clear to him that his efforts were appreciated. The club made concerted attempts as well. However, timing played a crucial role. Given my age, I felt compelled to seize this opportunity now, despite acknowledging the merits of staying. The prospect of joining Dortmund excited me. It offers me the chance to play in the Champions League for a prestigious club and compete at the highest echelons of German football. Since departing Ingolstadt, I’ve harbored a sense that my story in the Bundesliga was yet to be completed.”

He further expressed, “I had maintained that I was open to returning to Germany if the circumstances aligned, even though I cherished my time at Brighton. I immensely enjoyed my stay there. Nevertheless, when the offer from Dortmund materialized, it became evident that I was resolute in making the move.”

Following Gross’s departure, Brighton undertook a significant spending spree during the summer, amounting to £200m, including the acquisitions of midfielders Mats Wieffer, Matt O’Riley, Brajan Gruda, and Ferdi Kadıoğlu for a combined sum of £100m.

The addition of Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez from Inter Miami in January for a fee of around £12m is also anticipated. These five players face a challenge in matching Gross’s remarkable accomplishments.