Mainz 05 makes record transfer of 30 million euros
Mainz, National Team, Premier League: The meteoric rise of Brajan Gruda continues. The 20-year-old is leaving the Rhineland-Palatinate region for England. At Brighton & Hove Albion, he'll find a German coach and set a new transfer record for the 05ers.
Spectacular Transfer. Offensive gem Brajan Gruda is leaving FSV Mainz 05 to join English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion for a record fee. While the transfer fee was not disclosed, media reports suggest it's over 30 million euros, which would be a record for Mainz. Gruda (20) has signed a contract with Brighton until June 2028.
"It's a very good club, a very young team. It's going to be fun," said Gruda. In England, he'll meet German coach Fabian Hürzeler, who led FC St. Pauli to the Bundesliga and joined Brighton this summer. "The Premier League will be a different challenge for him, but I'm looking forward to working with Brajan and helping him reach his full potential," said Hürzeler.
"After careful consideration and with a heavy heart, we agreed to this transfer," said Mainz's sporting director Christian Heidel: "Given the economic conditions, Mainz 05 couldn't afford to turn down this offer."
Gruda joined Mainz's youth team in 2018 and made it to the pros in 2023. His strong performances played a significant role in Mainz's survival. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann even invited him as an additional player during the Euro preparations.
Thomas Müller knew it back in October. "Gruda is a Baller," praised the 2014 World Cup winner. Müller secured Gruda's jersey after winning the league with Bayern Munich against Mainz (3:1). However, that jersey is now outdated - Gruda is now playing in the English Premier League with The Seagulls after his spectacular multimillion-euro transfer.
Gruda's move to Brighton & Hove Albion marks his entry into the prestigious English Premier League. Despite leaving Mainz 05, Gruda will still have a German connection with coach Fabian Hürzeler at his new club.
Now playing in the Premier League, Gruda's previous achievement of securing Thomas Müller's jersey after Mainz's defeat to Bayern Munich in 2023 seems like just a stepping stone in his impressive career progression.
