Brighton reach agreement with Dortmund to bring Pascal Gross back to the Amex | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion have agreed a deal to bring Pascal Gross back to the club, completing a surprise return just months after his departure.

The Seagulls have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund on a permanent transfer, with the move now subject to a medical.

Gross has been given permission to travel to England, with the medical expected to take place within the next 48 hours.

The transfer fee is understood to be just under €2 million, with a further €1 million included in potential add-ons.

At 34, Gross is set to rejoin a club where he established himself as one of the most influential players of the Premier League era.

Brighton signed Gross from FC Ingolstadt in 2017 following their promotion to the top flight, with the German quickly becoming a cornerstone of their development.

Across seven seasons on the south coast, he made 261 appearances in all competitions, scoring 32 goals and providing 52 assists.

His versatility became a defining feature of his time at the club, with Gross deployed at full-back on both sides, in wide attacking roles, and across central midfield.

He was also Brighton’s all-time Premier League top scorer until earlier this year, when Danny Welbeck moved ahead of him.

Gross left Brighton in August 2024 to join Borussia Dortmund on a two-year deal, returning to Germany after establishing himself in England.

The move was viewed as an experienced addition for Dortmund as they transitioned between squads, with Gross providing leadership and tactical intelligence.

However, his role became increasingly limited as the season progressed, with competition in midfield reducing his opportunities.

Gross started seven Bundesliga matches during the first half of the campaign and logged just over 600 minutes of league action.

With Felix Nmecha now established and options such as Marcel Sabitzer, Jobe Bellingham and Emre Can available, Dortmund were open to his departure.

Brighton moved quickly to seize the opportunity, identifying Gross as a short-term solution who can immediately raise the level of the squad.

His familiarity with the club, the league and the demands of the Premier League made the deal particularly attractive.

Gross’ return also brings experience to a relatively young Brighton group navigating another demanding campaign.

The midfielder earned his first senior Germany call-up in September 2023 and has gone on to make 16 international appearances.

From Brighton’s perspective, the deal represents a low-risk move for a player who remains tactically reliable and technically secure.

While Gross is no longer the long-term cornerstone he once was, his influence, leadership and understanding of the club’s identity remain valuable.