Pascal Gross is leaving Brighton and Hove Albion to join his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed sum believed to be about £8 million.
The Germany international leaves after seven years with Albion, during which he made 261 appearances in all competitions, scoring 32 goals and contributing 52 assists.
Technical director David Weir said: “We fought hard to convince Pascal to stay with us and further his unbelievable legacy with the club but ultimately the lure of his boyhood team proved too strong and, having agreed a fee with Dortmund, we could not stand in his way.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for Pascal, seeing out his career playing for his boyhood team at the top level of German football and nobody would wish to deny him that chance. I am sure many of us will watch with great interest over the coming seasons.”
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “We are really sorry to lose Pascal but we fully understood his situation. It is understandable that he wanted to take the opportunity to join one of the very top clubs in Germany and he goes with our best wishes for the future.
“I am disappointed not to have had the chance to work with him but I fully appreciate his position and would like to thank him for the impact he has had on this club as that has undoubtedly helped me as coach.”
Albion chairman Tony Bloom said: “In terms of his contribution on the pitch, Pascal goes down as the club’s greatest-ever Premier League signing. He has been with us since the start of the Premier League era, and has been such a superb player for us.
“He has been a joy to watch and contributed so many important and memorable moments across the last seven seasons. I am really sad to see him leave – and I know it has not been an easy decision for him – but I understand his desire to see out his career at the top of the German game with the club he grew up supporting.
“On behalf of all Brighton and Hove Albion fans I would like to wholeheartedly thank Pascal and I wish him well with Dortmund. The term legend is often overused but in Pascal’s case he is a genuine legend of this club and will be welcome back here at any time in the future.”
Albion chief executive Paul Barber said: “Pascal has been a fabulous professional – on and off the pitch – and has become a friend to many of us at the club. We will miss him greatly.
“However, we also know that the opportunity for Pascal to join his boyhood club was one that was simply too exciting for him to turn down at this stage of his career. We wish him well.”
The 33-year-old was the first player signed by Brighton when the club won promotion to the Premier League in 2017. He joined from the Bundesliga side Ingolstadt.
He scored Brighton’s first top-flight goal in 34 years in the win over West Bromwich Albion and got the winner against Manchester United in April 2018 to secure Premier League survival that season.
His impressive debut campaign saw him win the club’s Player of the Year award, an accolade he claimed again at the end of last season.
While he leaves as Albion’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League, with 30 goals, it was as a creative force that the midfielder earned most plaudits. He contributed 42 Premier League assists, the second highest by a German behind former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil in the list.
Gross played a key role as Albion achieved the highest league finish in the club’s history and he captained the side in the club’s first game in competitive European football against AEK Athens last September.
He scored Albion’s first away goal in Europe against Marseille and provided the assist for Joao Pedro in the 1-0 win against the French side that ensured Brighton finished top of their Europa League group.
When asked what his favourite position was, Gross always responded: “In the starting 11.”
He demonstrated his versatility by playing in advanced or defensive central midfield positions as well as on both the right and left in midfield or defence.
His form at club level was rewarded last September 2023 when he made his Germany debut. Gross played in this summer’s European Championship when he came on as a second-half substitute in the 5-1 win over Scotland.
Good riddance – useless git