Midfielder ‘who can never stand still’ has brought renewed energy to Seagulls since return to the club in January

Most footballers like to spend their summers unwinding after a long season but not Pascal Gross. Having been part of the Germany squad eliminated in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, the midfielder entered – and won – a running race.

Gross completed the 8.4km course on Juist, in the East Frisian islands, in 31 minutes and 35 seconds. He is not known as someone who courts attention, and his victory by more than a minute came to light only when a video was posted on social media by a competitor.