VfB Stuttgart midfielder Chema has completed a permanent transfer to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on a five-year contract running until June 30, 2031, according to official club announcements and reports from n-tv.de. The 21-year-old Spain under-21 international joins the English side for a total package worth up to €23 million, with Stuttgart securing a high percentage clause for any future sale.
The swift deadline-day transaction concluded a rapid sequence of events for the player, who arrived in Germany last summer from Real Madrid’s youth academy for roughly €3 million.
Brighton Completes Five-Year Deal After Deadline-Day Negotiations
According to Brighton & Hove Albion’s official media release, the Premier League club finalized the agreement on September 2, 2026. Sporting director Mike Cave expressed confidence in the midfielder’s development path, noting that the club had monitored his progress over an extended period. “We’re delighted to welcome Chema to the club,” Cave said via the club’s official announcement. “He has an excellent pedigree having come through at Real Madrid; he followed that with a very good season with Stuttgart last season.”
German broadcaster n-tv.de reported that negotiations intensified rapidly on deadline day, moving from initial reports to a finalized agreement within a matter of hours. The total financial package reaches up to €23 million, according to n-tv.de and Sky reporting, marking a significant return on investment for Stuttgart after just one season.
Rapid Rise from Real Madrid to the Bundesliga
Chema’s trajectory over the past twenty months reflects a steep upward curve in European football. Having progressed through Real Madrid’s C and B teams, the defensive-minded midfielder earned his senior La Liga debut in January 2025. Seeking regular senior minutes, he accepted a transfer to the Bundesliga ahead of the 2025–26 season.
In his sole campaign at the MHPArena, Chema adapted quickly to the physical demands of German top-flight football and European competition. His 41 appearances played a foundational role in Stuttgart’s successful push for a Champions League berth, drawing attention from scouts across Europe before Brighton secured his signature.
Next Steps for Club and Player
Chema will now join up with his new teammates on the south coast of England, subject to standard regulatory processes and international clearance.
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