Pascal Groß wins Premier League Player of the Month award at 35
Brighton midfielder Pascal Groß, 35, has been named Premier League Player of the Month for September, the first Brighton player ever to win the award, after two goals and three assists.
Pascal Groß has been named Premier League Player of the Month for September 2026, a Player of the Month award that arrives at the age of 35 and makes history for his club. The Premier League announcement, reported on 2 October, confirmed that the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder had won the monthly prize for the first time in his career, and that no Brighton player had ever collected it before him. The German's reward caps a remarkable month on the south coast, in which Brighton climbed to third in the Premier League table.
Pascal Groß wins Premier League Player of the Month award
The award recognises Groß's output across Brighton's three league matches in September. In those games he recorded two goals and three assists, giving him five direct goal contributions in a month in which Brighton took seven points from a possible nine. His influence came against Leeds United, Coventry City and Arsenal, three very different opponents, and he added a goal in the Carabao Cup as well, scoring in Brighton's comeback victory over Manchester United. That cup goal did not count towards the league award, but it underlined just how central he was to everything the team did during the month.
The prize is decided by a combination of a public vote and the views of a panel of football experts, which means Groß had to impress both supporters and pundits to finish ahead of a strong shortlist.
Key facts: Groß's September in numbers
- Award: Premier League Player of the Month, September 2026
- Announced: reported on 2 October 2026
- Age: 35
- League output in September: 2 goals, 3 assists
- Cup bonus: scored in the Carabao Cup comeback win over Manchester United
- Club first: the first Brighton player ever to win the monthly award
- Personal first: Groß's first Player of the Month award
Brighton's September results: Leeds, Coventry and Arsenal
Brighton's month started with a 1-1 draw against Leeds United before the side exploded into form. A 5-0 thrashing of Coventry City was followed by a statement 3-0 win over Arsenal, a result that lifted Fabian Hürzeler's team to third place in the table. Groß was at the heart of that run, the experienced organiser in midfield whose passing and set-piece delivery repeatedly turned possession into chances.
| Opponent | Result for Brighton |
|---|---|
| Leeds United | 1-1 draw |
| Coventry City | 5-0 win |
| Arsenal | 3-0 win |
The win over Arsenal was particularly significant. Beating one of the division's leading sides without conceding sent a clear message that Brighton's strong start was not a fluke and it came in a game where Groß contributed to the scoring, rounding off his month in style.
A Brighton clean sweep: Hürzeler named Manager of the Month
Groß's success was only half of Brighton's celebration. Head coach Fabian Hürzeler was named Premier League Manager of the Month for September, completing a clean sweep of the two headline monthly prizes for the club. For a coach who has built his reputation on bold, possession-based football, the recognition reflects how well his side executed his plans across the month, and how important a reliable veteran like Groß is in making that system work on the pitch.
Sixth-oldest winner: where Groß sits in Premier League history
At 35, Groß is among the oldest players ever to receive the award. According to Sports Illustrated, he is the sixth-oldest winner in the history of the prize. The record still belongs to Stuart Pearce, who won it in February 2001 when he was two months short of his 39th birthday. That puts Groß in rare company and highlights a career that has continued to deliver at the highest level well into his thirties, an age at which many midfielders have long since left the Premier League.
Beating a strong shortlist of nominees
Groß had to see off a competitive field to claim the award. The other player nominees for September were:
- Mohamed Belloumi (Hull City)
- Jayden Bogle (Leeds United)
- Alexander Isak (Liverpool)
- Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool)
- Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton)
- Kevin Schade (Brentford)
- Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
The presence of team-mate Charalampos Kostoulas on the list shows how many Brighton players caught the eye during the month, but it was Groß who was chosen ahead of him and the rest. He succeeds Chelsea's João Pedro, who won the award for August.
What the award means for Brighton's season
The latest Yalla Shoot data underline how important Groß has been to Brighton's start. After six league matches, Brighton sit third in the Premier League with 13 points from four wins, one draw and one defeat, behind only Manchester City (18 points) and Arsenal (15). Brighton's 18 league goals are the most in the division so far, and they have conceded only five. Groß himself is credited with three goals and four assists in six league appearances, having played every one of the 540 available minutes. Those seven goal involvements place him among the most productive players in the division.
Those numbers show that his September was not an isolated burst but part of a sustained run of form. Brighton have also found goals from other sources, with Maxim De Cuyper and Kostoulas each contributing two league goals, yet Groß's creativity remains the link between midfield and attack.
Background: Groß's long road with Brighton
Groß first joined Brighton in 2017 from German club Ingolstadt, arriving as the club began its Premier League adventure, and he has become one of the most familiar figures of the Seagulls' top-flight era. He has also been capped by Germany at senior level. Known for his intelligence on the ball, versatility and quality from dead-ball situations, he has served several Brighton managers, and his first individual monthly honour in England comes deep into his career.
What's next for Groß and Brighton
With the award in hand, the task for Groß and Brighton is to sustain their position near the top of the table through the busy autumn schedule. Fans can follow Brighton's upcoming fixtures and results on our matches page, where the next chance to see whether this veteran midfielder can keep defying age will be listed. If his September is any guide, Brighton's push for a high finish will continue to run through him.