Gruda: How could I say no to Albion?

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German discusses life on the south coast after summer move from Mainz.

Luke Nicoli

2024-11-15T00:00+00:00

Brajan Gruda made 31 appearances for FSV Mainz before joining us in the summer. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Like in his one season of Bundesliga football at Mainz, Brajan Gruda admits it takes time to settle into a new environment. But judging by his recent Albion performances, the young midfielder is now starting to find his feet with the Seagulls.

How did your move to England come about?

The club had been watching me for some time and obviously the coach knew about me from playing in the Bundesliga last season with Mainz. When I first met the coach, he told me he was impressed with what I could do on the pitch as a creative player, a technical player, and hopefully the fans can now see that as well.

As a creative player, who were your heroes growing up?

I loved Messi. He’s my favourite player ever and I enjoyed watching Neymar as well. In Germany it was Arjen Robben at Bayern Munich. I’ve always loved players who excite and who entertain when they are on the ball.

When it came to your technical skills, did you practise, practise, practise, or did it come naturally?

The midfielder has made four Premier League appearances since his summer move. 📷 by James Boardman.

I think a little bit came from God but much of it is in the genes. My dad was a professional football in Albania, a striker (for Vllaznia Shkoder). He was not so tall but scored many goals with his head. When I was young, every day we'd go out and play, working on my technical skills or shooting against the wall. My dad’s brothers also played football;, everyone played football. I also have a cousin who now plays for the same team my dad played for. He’s a fast left winger and he scored the other day, having come back from a big injury. Football is definitely in the blood of our family!

Did you play a lot of football in the street growing up?

All the time. In the neighbourhood where we lived, we had one pitch behind my house and it was always the older lads who would be playing on it. In my age group I had three or four friends but I was the only one who was ever allowed to join in. They were all around the age of 16 to 20, but I was only seven at the time! All my friends had to watch, whereas I could play and that helped me playing against bigger and stronger boys.

You came through the ranks at Mainz – did you always think you’d make it?

At times it was not easy for me. We had the pandemic to deal with when I was coming through, so I didn’t have many games, and I also suffered a lot of frustrating injuries. I broke my arm, my collarbone, I broke my arm again, so it was tough. But when we came to around 2023 I was invited to train with the first team. I went to the training camp, I trained every week with them, and it made me stronger on the ball.

You made your professional debut against Borussia Dortmund last January. What was that like?

Brajan Gruda celebrates with fellow substitute Matt O'Riley after the Denmark international scored what proved to be the winner against Manchester City. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

It was good and bad. It was a great feeling to play for the first team, something I had dreamed about for a long, long time, but the coach asked me to mark a particular player at corners, and he got away from me at the far post and he scored. Fortunately, the coach was okay with it, he told me not to worry, and I played a couple more games that season.

Last season was your breakthrough campaign, making 28 Bundesliga appearances and scoring four goals. How did you find it?

The first weeks were difficult. Everything was faster, training was also faster and I was coming up against people stronger than me. I had problems with my muscles in the beginning, but the more I played and the more I trained, the fitter and stronger I became. These things take time, but after a few weeks, my body learned how to deal with first-team football and I felt more and more comfortable as the weeks went by. I felt like I belonged and that I was ready to play Bundesliga football. The physios helped me a lot with that process and as the weeks passed, I found I could play and train every day with no problems.

You only had one season in the first team, so did you expect to leave for the Albion so quickly?

It was a tough situation for me. I had only just turned 20 and I had just got used to playing first-team football. Now I would be leaving my home, my family, my friends and the coaches and teammates who had helped me to this point. But when Brighton told me that they wanted me, how could I say no? The Premier League is the best league in the world and when I came over and saw what we have here: the training ground, the facilities, the changing areas, the kitchens, everything was so professional. Straight away I felt comfortable here and I knew this was the right choice for me. My family also arrived recently to visit me, so it’s been good to have them here with me.

How have you found the pace of the Premier League?

Brajan Gruda took the number eight shirt, inspired by Toni Kroos. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

It’s very quick; the game doesn’t ease up, the ball is always going up and down the pitch, so it takes time – just like it did when I first broke into the team at Mainz. But as the weeks pass, I’m feeling better and better. The coach gives me a good feeling, my teammates give me a good feeling and I know there is much more to come from me.

And how have you found living away from your family?

It’s been hard because I’ve always lived with my family up to this point – but, again, it’s getting easier as the weeks pass. The older players in the team, the likes of Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Jason Steele and James Milner, all talk to me and help me a lot. The younger players I have also settled in well with, people like JP (van Hecke) – in fact everybody has been good to me. They are all good guys. After training I am alone, but I use my time well. I will maybe have an hour’s sleep, make sure I eat the right food, just making sure I am doing everything right ahead of the next game or training session.

Does it help that the gaffer is German so you can converse in your native language sometimes?

Yes, that has helped a lot – and it’s the same with his coaching staff. I talk a lot with Max Lesser, our tactical analyst, who talks me through certain situations on the pitch. Fabian also talks with me as well on a one-to-one level, so it’s good to have that relationship with them all. My English is getting better though as I settle in more here and that is also helping me to settle both on and off the pitch.

You’ve played for Germany at U21 level but have Albania roots. Was that a difficult decision to make?

It was, but the final decision (on which nationality to play for) has not been made yet. It can still change. It’s not going to be an easy decision to make though; I grew up in Germany, my life has been in Germany, but I come from an Albanian family. My heart is with both sides, so we will just have to see how it develops. We know the strength of the Germany team, but Albania now has a very talented side as well. It is getting stronger all the time with its players performing in leagues throughout Europe.

Finally, you took the number 8 shirt this season. For a young player, that was a bold decision!

(smiles) In Germany, the number eight shirt belongs to Tony Kroos, a proper legend, so when I saw it was available this season, I wanted it. Last season I wore the number 43 shirt, so it’s quite a difference, but hopefully I can justify wearing this number by continuing to train hard and playing well.