Getting to know Brajan Gruda

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The German midfielder joined us on a five-year deal.

2024-08-19T06:00+01:00

The midfielder has represented Germany up to under-21 level. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Brajan, welcome to the club. You arrive here after an impressive season with Mainz. How do you reflect on the 2023/24 season?

“It was a tough season for us because we didn't start well and we changed the trainer (head coach) three times.

“In the first games I didn't play so much, but when the coach, Bo Henriksen, came in I played a lot and it was very good for me.

"We started winning and I started scoring goals. So it was a very nice time at the end.”

What was it like getting the opportunity to play regularly in the Bundesliga, and to score and assist at that level?

“Especially in our stadium in Mainz, it was very good. It was an amazing feeling because everybody was loud in the stadium. The atmosphere was very good."

Brajan made 28 Bundesliga appearances last season. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

What are you like as a player?

I don't like to lose! I would say that I'm a dribbler.

What did Fabian Hurzeler say to you to convince you that Brighton was the right club for you? And did you speak to anyone about him?

"He said to me he has known about me for a long time ago and he liked how I play.

"I have some friends in my team [at Mainz] who played out on loan in the second Bundesliga and they told me it was very difficult to play against St. Pauli because they have the ball and they pass around you. You don’t see the ball [as an opposition player]. You have to run too much! I think he's a very good coach."

What were your impressions of the club aside from your conversation with Fabian?

"It's a very good club and it’s a very, very young team. So it's going to be fun. I hope we play next year in Europe and I think we can do it."

How do you think we can achieve European qualification again?

"With the new coach and with the team, we just have to have fun off and on the pitch and to train hard."