---
title: "Forgotten Brighton star returns as Hurzeler receives major boost"
canonical: "https://readbrighton.com/2026/07/17/forgotten-brighton-star-returns-as-hurzeler-receives-major-boost/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Brighton News"
published: "2026-07-17T13:35:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T11:49:42Z"
---

# Forgotten Brighton star returns as Hurzeler receives major boost

**Brighton & Hove Albion have received a major pre-season boost after Stefanos Tzimas returned to training on the grass following his long-term knee injury.**

The club shared footage of the 20-year-old continuing his rehabilitation at their training ground, seven months after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Tzimas suffered the injury during his first Premier League start, a dramatic 4-3 defeat by Aston Villa in December. Brighton’s [official injury update confirmed he faced several months on the sidelines](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/media-article/mft-injury-update-stefanos-tzimas-bha-west-ham-pl-december-2025) after damaging his knee while pressing Pau Torres.

His return to outdoor work represents an encouraging stage in his recovery, although Brighton have not confirmed whether he has resumed full team training.

> 🚨🎙️ Stefanos Tzimas:\
> \
> “I had my first start against Aston Villa and I had an injury.\
> \
> When I heard the news I was very sad but Danny was there and we had a long conversation.\
> \
> The rehab \[is going\] very well and I am ready to come back soon.” \
> \
> \[via [@Brian\_\_Owen](https://x.com/Brian__Owen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)\][#bhafc](https://x.com/hashtag/bhafc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/v0nSohBk3G](https://t.co/v0nSohBk3G)
>
> — Brighton Bubble (@BrightonBubble) [April 16, 2026](https://x.com/BrightonBubble/status/2044693319318393309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Tzimas return strengthens Hürzeler’s attacking options

Fabian Hürzeler is unlikely to rush the Greece Under-21 international after such a serious injury. Brighton begin their pre-season schedule against Annecy on 25 July before facing Strasbourg, Roma and Bologna.

It remains unclear whether Tzimas will feature in those matches. The priority will be rebuilding his fitness safely before he returns to competitive action.

Brighton paid around £21million to sign Tzimas from Nuremberg in February 2025 before allowing him to finish the season in Germany. He later scored twice on his Albion debut against Oxford United and registered his first Premier League goal at Nottingham Forest.

His first campaign in England ended just as he appeared ready to establish himself. Tzimas had scored once and assisted another goal across nine league appearances before suffering the ACL injury.

As [Read Brighton recently examined](https://readbrighton.com/2026/05/26/why-brighton-desperately-need-a-new-striker-this-summer/), Hürzeler needs greater support for Danny Welbeck ahead of a season involving Premier League and Conference League football.

Tzimas will compete with Welbeck, Charalampos Kostoulas and Georginio Rutter once fully fit. Evan Ferguson could also return to the group following ankle surgery.

Brighton may still strengthen their attack, but Tzimas’ progress gives Hürzeler another potential option. His return to the grass is only one step in the rehabilitation process, yet it provides a welcome lift before the squad’s pre-season programme begins.