VfB Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andres has joined Brighton & Hove Albion in a £15.5 million transfer. The 21-year-old Spaniard signed a five-year contract with the Premier League club on Tuesday, ending his one-season stint in Germany.
Stuttgart's season began with a 1-5 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach, leaving them 18th in the Bundesliga with zero points from one game. Their next chance to improve a record of one goal scored and five conceded comes at home against 1. FC Köln, currently sixth, on 4 September.
The sale of Chema Andres provides VfB Stuttgart with significant income. The club had signed the player from Real Madrid for just €5 million last summer. That deal included a right of first refusal and a 50 per cent sell-on clause for Real Madrid. After just one season, Stuttgart now secures a notable profit on their investment. These funds could be important for future moves in a summer where Stuttgart has already made 11 new signings.
Chema Andres came through Real Madrid's famed youth academy, La Fábrica, making his La Liga debut in January 2025. Coaches like Xabi Alonso, Álvaro Arbeloa, and Raúl believed in his potential during his formative years. His move to VfB Stuttgart last year proved a career accelerator. He made 41 appearances in all competitions, helping the club qualify for the Champions League. In 26 Bundesliga games, he registered three goals and one assist. He also featured nine times in Stuttgart's run to the Europa League last 16.
Despite his performances, the Spanish federation (RFEF) currently sees him behind established internationals like Rodri and Martín Zubimendi. He is viewed as a player with the potential to make the step up from the Under-21s in the medium term. He remains unfazed by comparisons to top players. “Those comparisons come from you guys (journalists),” Chema said. “They’re more about our physical profile because he’s still miles ahead. Hopefully, one day I can reach his level.”
The Chema Andres move is not the only notable deal. Brighton has also agreed a deal with Championship side Millwall for 25-year-old Nigerian winger Femi Azeez. Millwall rejected at least three bids from Brighton before agreeing an initial £12.5m fee, potentially rising past £15m with add-ons. This would be a club-record sale for Millwall. Azeez scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 37 games last season, earning a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
At Brighton, Andres's arrival triggers further squad movement. Youngster Amario Cozier-Duberry has signed a new contract and will leave on loan following Azeez's arrival. The club has been busy this summer, including a £45m move for Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham, while selling Carlos Baleba to Manchester United for £70m. There has also been speculation linking winger Yankuba Minteh with a move to Liverpool.
For VfB Stuttgart, the focus now shifts to on-pitch improvement. After a poor start that leaves them three points behind leaders Bayern München, a quick response is needed. Chema Andres's contract at Brighton runs until the summer of 2031.
