Brighton set to make German Gross its 1st Premier League signing

Poised for a maiden Premier League campaign, Brighton has begun the process of bolstering its squad, with Ingolstadt midfielder Pascal Gross set to join the Seagulls on a four-year deal.

Gross will officially join Chris Hughton's ranks for an undisclosed fee when the transfer window opens, the south coast side announced Friday via its website.

"We are delighted that Pascal has opted to sign for us, amid interest from a number of clubs from the Premier League and across Europe, and I am pleased to welcome him to the club," Hughton said.

"He offers something different to our existing midfielders, as an attacking midfielder in a more advanced position, operating behind the forward line; he will give us a different and new option going into the new season."

Gross, 25, has made nearly 200 appearances in the top two tiers of German football, and has arguably been Ingolstadt's best player this season, pairing four goals with four assists in 32 Bundesliga outings. The club currently sits second from bottom in the German top flight and has already cemented a return to the second tier with one match to play.

The former German youth international will play his final match in an Ingolstadt strip when the Bavarians welcome Schalke to Audi Sportpark on Saturday.