'Of course not' - This is why Stefanos Tzimas was not put off signing for Brighton after hammering at Nottingham Forest
Stefanos Tzimas signed for Brighton within 48 hours of their 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest in February 2025 – and ten months on, the teenager played a part in the team’s revenge.
There were wild celebrations on the touchline, after the Greek striker doubled Brighton’s lead with his first Premier League goal, on Sunday (November 30).
With Maxim De Cuyper’s 45th minute goal the difference between the sides for most of the second half, Tzimas’ poacher’s finish – albeit a tad scrappy – was vital to securing the points.
Tzimas has demonstrated patience beyond his 19 years, in his short Brighton career so far – but his first top flight goal was worth the wait.
"The Premier League was my dream and now to score a goal, it doesn't feel real,” he said.
"Especially I'm happy for the win. It was a very important win for us. But now we have to stay focused, stay grounded because there are plenty of games ahead of us. So we have to be ready for this difficult period.
"[There was] a big celebration because it was my first goal. But especially for the win."
Although he wasn’t part of the team which was hammered 7-0 by Nuno Espirito Santo's Forest – the Seagulls’ heaviest defeat for 67 years – Tzimas was asked how much of a factor this was in the build-up to the rematch.
"We talked a lot about this game,” Tzimas said. “We came here to win this game. We showed our character.
“I remember this day because it was [when] I signed here – the day after. Something like this.”
The Greece Under-21 international – who signed from 2. Bundesliga outfit Nuremberg – is contracted at Brighton until June 2030.
His move was made public on February 3 – two days after Brighton’s painful humbling at the City Ground. The striker remained in Germany for the second half of the season before linking up with his new teammates this season.
Asked if the result at the same ground last season made him think again about his decision to sign for the club, he replied: “No, of course not.
"It was Brighton. It was and it is the best option for me because the most important thing for me is to develop and I think I'm in the right environment.”