Brighton sign midfielder Gruda from Mainz for £25m

Brighton have signed Germany Under-21 international Brajan Gruda in a £25m deal from Bundesliga side Mainz.

Gruda, 20, has agreed a four-year deal with Brighton and manager Fabian Hurzeler says he is looking forward to working with the midfielder.

He broke through with Mainz last season and made 28 appearances as he helped the club retain their top-flight status.

“I saw the big impact he made last season in the Bundesliga and he’s a player I admire a lot,” said Hurzeler.

Gruda, who trained with Germany’s senior team prior to Euro 2024 and was tipped for a call-up before having to pull out through injury, had been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich.

He has played for Germany at all youth age groups from the age of 15 and has made seven appearances for the under-21s.