Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross was delighted to commit his future to the club, having put pen to paper on a new deal until June 2022.
The German midfielder was one of the side’s key performers last season as Albion secured a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, and he admitted he was happy to get the contract signed ahead of the new campaign.
He said, “I’m very pleased to get the new deal done, I think we had a very hard year last season and I’m happy to commit my future to the club – it’s a very special day for me.
“I thought last season was very good for the team – we achieved our big aim of staying in the league, and from a personal perspective I was delighted to be able to help the side with goals and assists.
“The Premier League was everything I expected and at the start it was tough, but I knew it was going to be like that and I enjoyed being part of some very special games.”
Gross managed seven goals and eight assists during his first season in England with the Seagulls, and he reflected fondly on both the campaign and his team-mates, highlighting some of his favourite moments.
“You never know how it will go when you move to a new country, but I was very happy with how everything went and now I want that to continue next season.
“We have a great team spirit here and we were all so determined to stay up – the togetherness is one of our biggest strengths.
“I scored the club’s first Premier League goal and the one against Manchester United – they were two historic moments and to be involved like that was a dream for me – it’s very special and the second game especially was a very special day and one of the best of my life as a footballer."
Albion will now ply their trade in the Premier League for the second consecutive campaign, and last season’s Player of the Season emphasised that the Seagulls will have to be well-prepared for a new challenge that awaits them in August.
“Our challenge for next season has to be to maintain those standards we set last year and stick together.
“We know it will be tough and we have to be well-prepared. Now I’ll go away on holiday with my girlfriend and rest for a while.
“Then at the end of this month we’re back and preparing for pre-season and I’ll be ready to join back up with the team."