Chema Andrés Joins Brighton from VfB Stuttgart on Five-Year Deal
Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Spanish midfielder Chema Andrés from VfB Stuttgart, with the 21-year-old putting pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Premier League club.
Brighton officially confirmed the move on September 1, although the transfer fee has not been disclosed by the club. Reports from German and British media indicate that the deal is worth more than €20 million, with some reports putting the overall package at around €23 million.
A Rapid Deadline-Day Move
The transfer came together remarkably quickly on deadline day. Stuttgart had wanted to retain Andrés, but the midfielder was keen on the opportunity to move to the Premier League. Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth confirmed that the club agreed to the transfer after Brighton met the financial conditions it had set.
Andrés leaves Germany after just one season at Stuttgart, having arrived from the Real Madrid setup in 2025.
“From a sporting point of view, we’d have liked to keep Chema, but we also had to take into account the player’s desire to move,” Wohlgemuth said.
Impressive Breakthrough at Stuttgart
Andrés made a significant impression during his only season in the Bundesliga. The Spain Under-21 international made 41 appearances in all competitions for Stuttgart, scoring four goals and providing two assists, according to the German club.
His versatility was one of his biggest strengths. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, Andrés was capable of operating in different central positions and even featured in defence when required.
His performances contributed to Stuttgart securing Champions League qualification and reaching the DFB-Pokal final during the 2025/26 campaign.
Brighton See Major Potential
Brighton sporting director Mike Cave said the club had been aware of Andrés’ potential for some time and highlighted his development through Real Madrid’s academy before his breakthrough in Germany.
“He has an excellent pedigree having come through at Real Madrid; he followed that with a very good season with Stuttgart,” Cave said.
The move continues Brighton’s strategy of investing in young players with significant development potential. Andrés now gets the chance to continue his progression in the Premier League.
Real Madrid Also Benefit
Andrés’ transfer also has financial significance for his former club Real Madrid. The midfielder came through Madrid’s youth system before joining Stuttgart, and reports indicate that Madrid retained a significant share of his future transfer rights when he moved to Germany.
Several reports have put Madrid’s share of the new transfer at around €11–12 million, although the exact financial structure has not been officially disclosed by Brighton or Stuttgart.
A New Chapter in the Premier League
For Andrés, the move represents a major step forward just 12 months after leaving Real Madrid for Stuttgart. His rapid development in Germany has now earned him a Premier League opportunity at Brighton.
The 21-year-old will be expected to compete for a place in Brighton’s midfield while adapting to the pace and physical demands of English football.
With a five-year contract running through June 2031, Brighton have clearly taken a long-term view of the Spanish midfielder’s potential.
Andrés’ journey from the Real Madrid academy to the Bundesliga and now the Premier League is another example of how quickly a young midfielder can rise when given regular senior-level opportunities.