Brighton and Hove Albion agree to sign Mahmoud Dahoud

Syrian-born Germany midfielder joins on free transfer

Brighton and Hove Albion have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud from the German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.

Mo Dahoud, capped twice by Germany, joins on a free transfer, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the month.

Albion said today (Friday 16 June): “We are delighted to announce that the club has agreed to sign midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud.

“The 27-year-old will join us on (Saturday) 1 July, after his current contract with Borussia Dortmund expires, on a four-year contract to June 2027.”

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: “I’m excited to have Mahmoud in my team. I wanted him when I was at Sassuolo and I’m sure he is going to be a top player for us.”

Albion said: “Mahmoud became the first Syrian-born player in the Bundesliga, having joined Borussia Moenchengladbach as a 14-year-old in 2010.

“He made his Bundesliga debut in 2014 and helped Gladbach qualify for the Champions League before moving to Dortmund in 2017.

“He went on to make 141 appearances for this season’s Bundesliga runners-up although his game time was restricted after he had surgery on his shoulder last summer.

“As well as playing 26 times for Germany’s under-21s, he has won two senior caps and made his international debut against Turkey in 2020.”

Albion’s technical director David Weir said: “We’re delighted to bring Mahmoud to the club. His quality and ability will really add to the options available to Roberto.

“He’s a quality player. He’s got lots of experience playing at a high level in Germany with great experience in Europe too.

“We’re looking forward to working with Mahmoud when pre-season starts next month and to seeing him in action in the Summer Series in the United States in July.”

Dahoud becomes Brighton’s third signing this summer after Joao Pedro and James Milner, with the latter also joining on a free transfer as his Liverpool contract ended.

The Brazilian forward Pedro was reported to have joined from Watford for £30 million. His signing broke the previous Albion transfer record of £20 million, paid to Bristol City for Adam Webster who joined in 2019.