Pascal Alexander Groß (German pronunciation: [pasˈkaːl ɡʁoːs]; born 15 June 1991) is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
A versatile player, Groß has played as a defensive-midfielder, right-back, attacking-midfielder, winger, or forward in his career. He was Brighton's all-time top scorer in the Premier League until 2025, when he was overtaken by Danny Welbeck.
Groß played for Germany at youth international level. He was called up to the senior squad for the first time aged 32 in August 2023, and made his debut on 9 September 2023 in a friendly against Japan. He was selected for the German final squad at the UEFA Euro 2024.
Contents
Club career
Early career
Groß played his first fully professional match in the Bundesliga for 1899 Hoffenheim on 2 May 2009 in a 0–4 loss against VfL Wolfsburg. being substituted on in the 89th minute for Chinedu Obasi. He scored his first senior career goal playing for Hoffenheim II playing against Stuttgarter Kickers II on 16 August 2009. In January 2011, he transferred to Karlsruher SC along with Hoffenheim teammate Marco Terrazzino.
Ingolstadt
In the summer of 2012, Groß joined FC Ingolstadt on a two-year deal. In the 2014–15 season, he played a vital role in the promotion of FC Ingolstadt to the Bundesliga as he scored 7 goals and assisted 23 goals.
Groß scored five league goals for FC Ingolstadt in the 2016–17 season as they were relegated from the Bundesliga. He created more chances than any other player in the league that season, a total of 95 chances.
Brighton & Hove Albion
In May 2017, Brighton & Hove Albion signed Groß for a fee of £3 million. He agreed to a four-year contract while the transfer fee paid to Ingolstadt was the first of a series of record signings for the club that season. He made his debut for Brighton in the Premier League on 12 August 2017, in a 2–0 home defeat to title favourites Manchester City. On 9 September 2017, Groß made history by scoring Brighton's first ever Premier League goal, adding a second shortly after half time and providing an assist for Tomer Hemed in a 3–1 win at home against West Bromwich Albion. On 15 September, in Brighton's 2–1 league defeat away to AFC Bournemouth, Groß provided the assist for Solly March's opening goal.
Groß's creative exploits for Brighton throughout the month of September earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award. He was a key player for Brighton, being directly involved in four of their league goals scored throughout the month.
On 15 October 2017, Groß provided his third assist of the season for Brighton, setting up Anthony Knockaert in a 1–1 league draw at home to Everton. On 20 November, Groß scored for Brighton in a 2–2 home draw against Stoke City. The goal brought his contribution tally up to three goals and five assists throughout the course of the season. Groß ended a successful season for Brighton with seven goals and eight assists, including heading the winner against Manchester United on 4 May 2018, a win that secured Brighton's Premier League status. Amongst many highlights, Groß was voted Brighton's player of the season by an overwhelming majority.
On 6 June 2018, Groß signed a contract extension with Brighton, keeping him at the club until 2022.
He scored against Manchester United again in another win over the side on 19 August 2018 in Brighton's first win of the 2018–19 season netting the Albion's third in a 3–2 home victory. Groß scored three goals from 4 May 2018 to 19 January 2019 which all came up against Manchester United. His third coming in a 2–1 away loss at Old Trafford. He made one FA Cup appearance where he came off the bench in a 2–1 home win over Derby County that took his team into the quarter-finals. The Sussex club were eventually knocked out by Manchester City in the semi-final at Wembley.
Borussia Dortmund
On 1 August 2024, Groß joined Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, signing a contract until June 2026.
On 11 February 2025, Groß scored his first goal for Dortmund in a first leg 3–0 away victory over Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League round of 32. On 22 February, he assisted four goals in a 6–0 home victory over Union Berlin, becoming the third player in Bundesliga history to ever do that.
At the end of the season he took part at the FIFA Club World Cup with Dortmund, with whom he reached the quarter-finals, eventually getting knocked out by Real Madrid with 3–2.
His time at Borussia Dortmund ended after a season and a half with 66 matches played, a goal scored and 17 assists provided.
Return to Brighton & Hove Albion
On 2 January 2026, Groß rejoined Brighton, signing a deal until June 2027. Explaining his decision to come back to the Amex, Groß said: "Since I wasn't getting much playing time in Dortmund, I wanted to go back to a place where I could have more influence and play more regularly, so I could also put myself forward for the World Cup." In the same month he would score his first goal since returning to the club in a 1–1 draw against Everton and earn a spot in Germany's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
International career
Groß has represented Germany at youth level for the under-18, under-19 and under-20 national teams.
On 31 August 2023, Groß received his first call-up to the Germany senior national team by head coach Hansi Flick, for friendlies against Japan and France. He made his debut on 9 September, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in the eventual 4–1 home loss against Japan and went on to make his first start for Germany in a 3–1 friendly win over the United States on 14 October under new head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Groß was named in Germany's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He scored his first international goal in a pre-tournament friendly against Greece on 7 June, a 2–1 winner in the 89th minute. Only Richard Kress was older when scoring his first goal for Germany.
On 21 May 2026, he was selected in Germany’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After getting eliminated against Paraguay in the round of 32, he officially stepped back from the national team on 19 September 2026. Stating, he had already closed his international chapter after the team's elimination at the World Cup, he added that the time for a new generation under new head coach Jürgen Klopp has come.
Style of play
Groß can operate as a central midfielder, winger, attacking midfielder and right-back. He is an accomplished set-piece taker, known for his accurate corner kicks and free kicks.
Personal life
Groß's father Stephan was also a footballer who played for Karlsruher SC.
He wears long-sleeved shirts when playing due to a grass allergy.
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 19 September 2026
International
As of match played 25 June 2026
As of match played 7 September 2025
Germany score listed first, score column indicates score after each Groß goal
Honours
FC Ingolstadt
2. Bundesliga: 2014–15
Individual
Brighton & Hove Albion Player of the Year: 2017–18, 2023–24