Markus Suttner has left Brighton to join Fortuna Dusseldorf on a permanent deal.
The 32-year-old returns to the Bundesliga club after making six appearances during a loan spell there in the second half of last season.
Seagulls boss Graham Potter said: "Markus has trained exceptionally hard and been a pleasure to work with during my time here, but this move gives him a chance to play regularly.
"He will be returning to a team that he knows well, and it is a move that makes sense for all three parties.
"I would like to wish him all the very best for the future, in what is an exciting next stage of his career."