Pascal Gross's farewell letter

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Midfielder pens open letter after departing for Borussia Dortmund.

2024-08-01T11:40+01:00

Pascal made 261 appearances for Albion. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

First I want to explain to the fans just how hard this decision has been to make. It’s been an incredible summer, and to be part of the Germany squad that competed at the Euros was something which gave me and my family such pride. Brighton gave me the platform to show what I could do, and earn that call up to the national team. So I will always be grateful for that.

But it’s been a tough summer in terms of making this decision.

I love this club, and have given everything to it for the last seven years.

Pascal Gross celebrates with the fans after Albion won away in Athens in the Europa League. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

But I also knew I would regret not taking up the offer from Borussia Dortmund — a team my father took me to watch as a boy, and the team I supported growing up. To play for one of the top clubs in Germany is something I have always wanted to do, and to have this chance, at this stage of my career, will likely be my last.

But it’s not without a heavy heart I leave Brighton & Hove: it’s been my home for the last seven years and I fell in love with the city from the moment I arrived. I’m sad to be leaving such an amazing place and a brilliant club, both of which will always be with me. I didn’t know what to expect when I made the move in 2017, but even the highest of my expectations have been surpassed.

That first season, when we fought so hard to keep our Premier League status, I was honoured to score the club’s first Premier League goal, and also the one against Manchester United which clinched our survival.

Pascal Gross scored 30 Premier League goals for Albion. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Since then we’ve grown with every game, playing under some brilliant coaches: Chris Hughton — who along with Tony Bloom I’ll be forever indebted for bringing me here, Graham Potter and for me my most important and influential manager, Roberto de Zerbi. I would love to have played under Fabian Hürzeler — I’ve heard so many good things about him from friends and colleagues in Germany, and I’ve no doubt Tony has once again recruited a brilliant head coach for the club. I would like to wish Fabian and the team all the best for the season ahead; I will be watching on from afar as the club’s biggest fan! I’m sure he will continue the amazing progress we’ve made in recent seasons.

I got to represent the Albion in some of the best stadiums in the world, on that first journey into Europe and Marseille, Amsterdam, Athens and Rome; and to wear the blue and white stripes at Wembley in two FA Cup semi-finals. Whenever Dunky was unavailable, I was always honoured to wear the captain’s armband, and I’m privileged to hold the club record for most goals in the Premier League (sorry Glenn!).

There are so many people I would like to thank, the three coaches I played for, Tony, Paul Barber, all my teammates across the seven years, the unsung heroes behind the scenes in the coaching, analysis, medical, catering, player liaison, security, media teams, and right across the club. They put so much into what makes this club so special. And to the fans, who’ve been amazing since the day I arrived, thank you. I’m sorry to be leaving you, but I hope I will get a chance to say goodbye and thank you in person at a match very soon.

Pascal scored our first away goal in the Europa League, pulling a goal back in our 2-2 draw against Marseille. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

I don’t know what the future holds, after playing, but the club means so much to me and my family. I know I will be back at some point in the future, even if it’s just as a fan to support the club.

Tschüss! Danke schon und bis bald!