Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Spanish midfielder Chema Andrés from VfB Stuttgart for a €22m fee on September 1, 2026. The 21-year-old arrives as a versatile option for central and defensive midfield. He is right-footed, stands at 193 cm, and is listed with the number 30 shirt. It is a move that adds size, control and long-term upside to a squad already playing front-foot football. You can follow his profile, matches and Sofascore Rating on Sofascore.

Transfer details and why it matters

The move is locked in at €22m as Chema switches from Stuttgart to Brighton on September 1, 2026. It comes 13 months after his €3m transfer from Real Madrid Castilla to Stuttgart, a quick rise in valuation. His proposed market value is listed at €19.4m, so Brighton have invested slightly above that to secure him. The fee reflects both his profile and Brighton’s need to deepen midfield ahead of a busy schedule. He is comfortable as an MC or DM and fits the club’s preference for multi-role midfielders.

Brighton’s recruitment has consistently targeted technical players with room to grow, and Chema’s profile matches that lane. At 193 cm, he brings size to a midfield that will face plenty of aerial traffic in the Premier League. He is also right-footed, which helps balance build-up angles in a two- or three-man midfield. For Stuttgart, the deal represents a sizable return given his short spell and limited minutes this season. For Brighton, it is a timely addition before the autumn run of league and European fixtures at the American Express Stadium.

Who is Chema Andrés? The data so far this season

Chema’s senior minutes in 26/27 are a small but useful sample. In the Bundesliga he made 1 appearance off the bench, playing 8 minutes with a Sofascore Rating of 6.5. He completed 2 of 3 passes, had 5 touches and recorded 1 interception, plus a top speed of 28.62 km/h and 1 sprint. In the DFB Pokal he logged 12 minutes with a Sofascore Rating of 6.2, completing 12 of 17 passes and taking 19 touches. That cup cameo also showed a top speed of 30.25 km/h and 1 foul committed as Stuttgart saw out the match.

There were no goals or assists in either outing, and he did not register a key pass in those brief appearances. He did, however, split his passes between halves cleanly, with 5 accurate in his own half and 7 in the opposition half in the cup. In league play he connected once in each half and once in the final third, which hints at comfort stepping forward. With Spain U21s in the 2025 U21 Euro Qualification cycle, he has 0 goals in the data provided. The minutes are light, but they suggest a midfielder who can keep tempo, read danger and slot into structured possession.

Brighton’s current shape in the Premier League

Through two matches, Brighton sit 9th in the Premier League with 3 points, scoring 7 and conceding 4. The start includes a 4-0 win over Aston Villa and a 4-3 defeat away at Chelsea. Across those games Brighton average 73.5% possession and 90.26% pass accuracy, which is elite territory. They have created 11 big chances and 7 key chances, converting 7 goals from 36 shots and 12 on target. Crosses are plentiful at 54 attempted, with 22.22% accuracy.

Defensively, they own 1 clean sheet, 30 tackles and 15 interceptions so far. Duels are near even with 48.88% won overall, boosted by a 55.56% win rate in the air. The team has made 1 error leading to a goal and 4 leading to shots, an area to tidy up. Recent results around the league schedule include 4-0 and 0-0 against Tromsø in the Europa Conference League playoff and a 1-0 friendly win over Bologna. In short, Brighton are dominating the ball, creating chances and playing at a high tempo, which sets a clear brief for any incoming midfielder.

Tactical fit under Fabian Hurzeler

Fabian Hurzeler has Brighton controlling territory with heavy possession and clean progression. Chema’s MC/DM flexibility lets him sit at the base or operate as a linking eight. His height offers set-piece utility and screening presence in front of the back line. The team’s passing standards are high, so his early task will be hitting Brighton’s rhythm and tempo. His short cameos show basic security and a willingness to step into the opposition half.

Brighton complete passes at 90% and push 618 accurate passes in the opposition half across two league games. That environment suits midfielders who can recycle quickly and play through pressure. Chema’s interception in limited league minutes hints at useful anticipation for a screening role. He will need to scale up involvement from 5 to 19 touches seen in those cameos to meet Albion’s volume. The fit looks natural for squad rotation and late-game control, with upside as he adapts to Premier League pace.

What this move means for Brighton and Stuttgart

For Brighton, it is another smart-age signing for a team aiming to stay aggressive in league and Europe. The squad has started with goals, high possession and an appetite to press, so midfield depth is vital. Chema can ease minutes on starters and keep the quality of build-up steady. His size gives different looks in midfield duels and defensive transitions. That flexibility becomes useful when protecting leads or chasing territory at the Amex.

For Stuttgart, the transfer converts a €3m outlay into a €22m sale within a year. They lose a young midfielder who featured briefly this season, but they bank a strong return. Brighton, meanwhile, get a player who fits both the playing model and the age profile for development. Fans can track every appearance and Sofascore Rating on Chema Andrés’ Sofascore page and keep an eye on the Seagulls’ progress via the team profile. The next chapter starts now, and he walks into a system built to make midfielders look good.