Despite whispers of a move away all summer, Brighton and Hove Albion fans' worst fears were confirmed when Pascal Groß was confirmed to be leaving for Borussia Dortmund.
Transfer doyen Fabrizio Romano reported that Groß's transfer from Brighton to Dortmund was all but complete as of Tuesday 30 July.
According to this report, the German midfielder is leaving for a fee of around £7 million plus add-ons, marking the end of an emphatic era for the Seagulls.
Since joining Brighton in 2017, Groß has been an indispensable part of the team, the apex figure of Brighton's Premier League journey, embodying leadership, mentality, and a re-invention of the Cruyff turn.
Undoubtedly one of the best to ever do it in the blue and white stripes, 'Der Kaiser' has left an incredible legacy that more than warrants a look back at his Albion career in full.
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Immediate impact
It is fair to say that Groß's arrival at Brighton in the summer of 2017 was met with modest expectations.
Coming from FC Ingolstadt 04, a club that had just been relegated from the Bundesliga, Gross joined for a relatively small fee of around £3 million.
However, it quickly became apparent that Brighton had unearthed a gem.
Groß made an immediate impact in Brighton's first-ever Premier League season, scoring on his debut in a 3-1 victory against West Bromwich Albion.
The German was thereby immortalised in the Albion's history books as their first-ever Premier League goalscorer.
As the season continued, his ability to deliver precise crosses and corners became a crucial asset for the team. By the end of the 2017/18 season, his importance became clear.
Groß finished as Brighton's top scorer with seven goals, whilst also bagging eight assists.
His pivotal goal against Manchester United, a powerful header, secured a memorable 1-0 victory to ensure Brighton's safety in the Premier League.
This goal remains one of the standout moments in the club's recent history.
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"He's here, he's there, he's everywhere"
In the seasons that followed, Groß continued to be a key contributor.
An isolated example of omnipresent consistency in Brighton's seven seasons in the league, the German has outlived both managerial changes and tactical shifts.
Under Chris Hughton, Groß was deployed primarily as an attacking midfielder, where his vision and passing ability were crucial in creating scoring opportunities.
The subsequent arrival of Graham Potter saw Groß's role evolve. Potter's emphasis on flexible, possession-based football suited Groß's skill set.
A modern 'utility player', he was often deployed in a variety of positions, including right-wing, central midfield, and even as a deep-lying playmaker.
While his goalscoring contributions slightly declined, his importance off the ball became just as important.
Season after season, the German covered more distance than any other Albion player, consistently averaging well over 10km per game.
This placed him near the top of Premier League tables for that statistic year-on-year, including being second in 2022-23 and eighth in 2023-24.
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Memorable moments
Several unforgettable instances have defined Groß's tenure at Brighton.
His aforementioned goal against Manchester United is just one of many 'statue-worthy' moments he had in his seven years at The Amex.
Groß shall also be remembered for his penalty ability. The cool-headed German converted six of his nine penalties in professional matches for the Seagulls.
The most notable of these came in the 2020/21 season, when Groß converted a last-minute penalty against Liverpool, earning a dramatic 1-1 draw.
The calmness and precision he displayed under pressure epitomised his ever-present composure and reliability which he was loved for.
As Brighton established themselves as a Premier League mainstay, Groß's experience and leadership became increasingly valuable.
He captained the side 12 times in all competitions in the absence of Lewis Dunk, providing guidance to younger players and in more recent seasons was a steering force in a younger Albion line-up.
His consistency is even more embedded by looking at his accolades at the club.
He won the Albion's Player of the Season award in 2023-24, adding to his victory of the same award back in 2017-18.
Last season, he reached a personal milestone by becoming Brighton's all-time leading assist provider in the Premier League.
He has since extended that record to an impressive 29 assists for the Seagulls.
Such achievements highlight his enduring impact and underline his importance to the team.
His high level of performance over his 261 appearances for Brighton has cemented him as a long-lasting favourite with the fans.
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A fond farewell
Arising ever since Euro 2024, rumours of Groß's move to Borussia Dortmund came as no surprise to many Brighton fans.
However, as Groß returns to his native Germany, many fans took to Twitter this morning to bid their farewells to their midfield stalwart.
One fan said "Thank you will never be enough", and another called him "The greatest to ever wear the shirt". These sorts of compliments alone indicate the value they place on him.
One other fan pointed out that "Every big moment in the last seven years seemed to have this man at the forefront of it."
Comments like this prove the legacy that the German international has left in the city of Brighton, as well as the void left by his exit.
As he departs to Dortmund with Brighton's best wishes, it is clear that replacing his influence both on and off the pitch will be a significant challenge.
His exit marks the end of a chapter, but a chapter both Groß and Brighton fans will look back on with the fondest of memories.
