AliousBrajan Gruda, a young German footballer, has shared that adapting to life at Brighton following his transfer from Mainz last summer has been a gradual process. The 21-year-old, who plays for Germany’s under-21 team, joined Brighton for a hefty £25m fee. However, his impact on the pitch has been limited this season, with only five starts in the Premier League and a total of 382 minutes played. Despite this, Gruda has flashed moments of brilliance, notably during the international break when he netted the decisive goal in a 1-0 win for Germany’s under-21s against Slovakia—a performance that underscored his potential.
Transitioning to the Premier League has been a learning curve for the winger, who is still finding his footing at Brighton. His recent goal could prove to be a turning point, boosting his confidence as the team—currently seventh in the standings—aims for European qualification and progresses in the FA Cup. Speaking to Kicker after his match-winning strike, Gruda highlighted the tactical differences he’s had to grasp: “It’s a big shift from how we played at Mainz. [Brighton’s coach] Hurzeler demands aggression and relentless effort when we don’t have the ball. If you put in that work, he’s pleased. He’s really sharp when it comes to understanding the game.” He added, “Training felt incredibly intense at first—it’s so quick. You can’t rush the adjustment. When the team’s doing well and picking up points, you just have to stay patient, keep working hard in training, and wait for your chance.”
Moving to a new country has brought additional challenges for Gruda beyond football. Reflecting on the personal side of his journey, he admitted, “At Mainz, I was always surrounded by family. Coming to England, where I don’t speak the language natively and living on my own, was tough at first. There are times when you’re barely playing, and you just have to push through it. I came here for a fresh start, so let’s see what the next few matches bring.”
Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, remains a staunch supporter of Gruda and is committed to nurturing his growth. Earlier this season, Hurzeler told reporters, “Brajan’s not your typical German player. He’s got incredible skill on the ball—he’s got that street footballer vibe, as we’d say back home. He loves to dribble and keep the ball close, and he’s capable of doing something extraordinary. But we need to be patient with him. He’s young, coming from Germany to a new culture, and stepping into the Premier League, which is the toughest in the world. Our job is to help him settle in quickly, give him all the support he needs, and guide him to reach his best.”
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