Spanish defender Chema has thanked VfB Stuttgart following his transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion. The sports magazine Kicker reported this in a video interview published on Tuesday, September 2, 2026.
Chema moved from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart to English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. During his official presentation with the Seagulls, the Spaniard expressed his gratitude towards Stuttgart. "Bin Stuttgart extrem dankbar" (I am extremely grateful to Stuttgart), Chema said verbatim in the conversation. The move marks a significant step in the career of the defensive player, who will now compete in one of the world's most-watched leagues.
Chema used his first press conference as a Brighton player to thank the people at VfB Stuttgart for his time there. The defender emphasized the importance of his spell in the Bundesliga for his development. The Spaniard's comments show that the departure, despite the attractive destination in England, ended on positive terms. In the interview, Chema also addressed comparisons with his compatriot Rodri, the defensively strong midfielder for Manchester City. He pointed out that every player has his own path, even when such parallels are drawn.
While Chema begins his new chapter in England, VfB Stuttgart is under pressure at the start of the 2026/27 season. After the first matchday, the club sits in 18th and last place in the Bundesliga table with zero points. The record from one game reads 0 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss. The team has scored one goal but conceded five, resulting in a goal difference of minus four. In the standings, they are already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The complete current table situation can be viewed on our standings page.
The opportunity for a quick response presents itself to VfB Stuttgart as early as Thursday, September 4, 2026. The team will then host 1. FC Köln, currently in sixth place, at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. This home game is of great importance for VfB to correct their season start and secure their first points. The exact schedule for the coming weeks can be found on our fixtures overview. The squad of coach Sebastian Hoeneß must compensate for departures like Chema's and find a stable defense.
Chema's transfer highlights the appeal of VfB players on the international market. His move follows a period in which the club has repeatedly produced talented players. The task for Stuttgart's decision-makers is now to capitalize on this transfer and further strengthen the squad. The next chance to observe the team's development is the home match against 1. FC Köln on Thursday.
