AliousFormer Brighton midfielder Jakub Moder has opened up about his decision to leave the Premier League and join Dutch giants Feyenoord, revealing that conversations with familiar faces helped convince him the move was the right one.
The 26-year-old Poland international struggled to find consistent minutes under Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler after returning from a long-term injury. Moder’s lack of game time ultimately led to a £1 million switch to Rotterdam in January—a transfer he describes as both necessary and deeply personal.
From Brighton’s Bench to Feyenoord’s Starting XI
Signed from Lech Poznań in 2020 for around £7 million, Moder made 71 appearances for Brighton but endured a frustrating spell sidelined for 19 months due to a serious cruciate ligament injury. Although he returned to fitness in late 2023, the rapidly evolving Brighton squad—bolstered by high-profile signings like Matt O’Riley, Ferdi Kadioglu, Mats Wieffer, and Georginio Rutter—left little room for Moder to reclaim a regular role.
On top of Brighton’s transfer activity, young talents Jack Hinshelwood and Yasin Ayari also rose through the ranks, further limiting Moder’s opportunities. A potential move to Leicester City collapsed during the January window, when Brighton’s bid to land Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fell apart and the midfielder instead joined Chelsea.
With his contract winding down and his pathway at the Amex blocked, Feyenoord emerged as a viable option.
Guided by Familiar Faces
Speaking to *Voetbal International*, Moder detailed the thinking behind the move:
“I couldn’t get on the pitch for nineteen months because of my injury, and after returning, it was hard to break into the team. During that time, Brighton progressed a lot without me. I needed to play football again.”
Feyenoord, who had been tracking Moder for some time, offered a fresh start—and the midfielder did his homework before agreeing to the move. He spoke with former Brighton teammates Mats Wieffer and Yankuba Minteh, who had both played for the Eredivisie outfit, and also sought advice from close friend and fellow Polish international Sebastian Szymański.
“They confirmed what I already felt deep down,” said Moder. “That Feyenoord would be the right place for me. Everything about it just felt right.”
A New Chapter Under Van Persie
Since arriving in Rotterdam, Moder has wasted little time making an impression. He has already earned eight Eredivisie starts and featured in four Champions League matches under Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie.
Though his debut came in challenging circumstances—facing Ajax away and PSV in the Dutch Cup back-to-back—Moder believes those tough matches accelerated his transition.
“They weren’t my best performances, but they were important,” he admitted. “Getting through games like that earns you the trust of the coach and your teammates. Confidence builds fast after that.”
Now, Moder feels he’s nearing his best form:
“I was fit when I joined, but match rhythm is everything. That’s the key word for any player. I feel like I’m getting close to my peak again. There’s still room to improve, but I’m heading in the right direction.”
For Moder, the move to Feyenoord has been more than a career shift—it’s been a personal resurgence. And with regular minutes, a supportive environment, and the chance to compete in Europe, the Polish midfielder may finally be back on track.
Alious
