Brighton has secured the signing of 19-year-old Stefanos Tzimas in a £20.8m (€25m/$26.2m) deadline-day deal, marking another bold move in their recruitment of young talents. Despite lacking a senior international cap, the Greek forward has already caught the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich all monitoring his progress.
From Thessaloniki to European Stardom
Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, on January 6, 2006, Tzimas was nurtured at PAOK, where he quickly rose through the ranks. His talent was evident early on, making his Under-19 league debut at just 15 before earning a first-team promotion after just 10 games and 7 goals with the B team.
At 17 years old, he became PAOK’s youngest-ever goal scorer, netting in a 6-0 victory against Ionikos. His impressive rise contributed to PAOK’s 2023-24 Greek Super League title, where he played 24 matches, scoring four goals and registering one assist.
Klose’s Influence & A Turning Point in Germany
Rather than making a premature move to a top European league, Tzimas chose to join 2. Bundesliga side Nürnberg on loan, with the guidance of legendary striker Miroslav Klose playing a key role in his decision.
Although he had a slow start in Germany, a dramatic super-sub performance against SSV Ulm changed everything. He scored the equalizer, won the game-deciding penalty, and then saw red in the 100th minute—a chaotic but defining moment in his young career.
From that point on, Tzimas cemented his place in the Nürnberg XI, delivering a flurry of goals and proving himself as a clinical forward with technical flair and relentless work rate.
Brighton’s Latest Smart Investment
Brighton, known for their elite scouting network, swooped in ahead of Europe’s giants to finalize the £20m deal at the last minute of the winter transfer window. Nürnberg activated their purchase option from PAOK, immediately selling him to Brighton under the condition that he remains on loan until the end of the season.
With a move to the Premier League on the horizon, Stefanos Tzimas is one to watch. Brighton may have just landed another future superstar.
