The 32-year-old winger has spent the summer proving his fitness to potential employers after being told his time on the south coast was over.
March had expected to remain with Brighton after discussions with Fabian Hurzeler and the club’s technical director suggested there could be a way to structure a new contract.
Instead, the decision arrived the morning after Brighton’s final game of the season, when March was presented with a shirt marking his 300th appearance for the club.
“On Monday morning the day after the final game of the season, at 9 o’clock, they rang my agent and said, ‘No that’s it, you’re done. Your time is finished at the club. We’re sorry, that’s it, but that’s how it’s going to be’.”
March told The Sun that he accepted the club was entitled to make the decision, but said the timing and manner of his departure were difficult to take.
“It wasn’t the decision itself that hurt, because that’s fine, that’s football. I didn’t agree with it, I still think I could have made an impact this season. But it was the way it was done which probably hurt the most. It still hurts now, to be honest.”
The winger had been told Brighton would not exercise an extension because his wages would rise and he had not played enough during the previous season.
March said he was prepared to discuss an alternative contract because his priority was remaining at the club and demonstrating that his body could cope with regular football again.
“I don’t think it’s helped my situation very much, the way it was dealt with, because I’ve not been able to play many minutes.”
March’s fitness has been a major concern after knee problems restricted him to 24 appearances across his final three seasons at Brighton. He underwent surgery in 2023 and later had another operation in Germany.
He now believes those problems are behind him and has spent time training in Dubai, Doha and Portugal while monitoring his workload with GPS data.
“I think I’m in a good position, I really am. My knee is happy and strong, there’s no swelling. I can do all the things that I need to do and very well.”
March also passed a medical at another Premier League club this summer, although no deal followed after the club failed to create space in its squad.
He is currently training with a Championship club and says his physical output is approaching his best levels, including a recorded top speed of 35.4kmh.
“I still believe I can play in the Premier League, I really do.”
The former Brighton winger remains open to moving abroad and knows he needs only a chance to play regularly before clubs can judge his fitness for themselves.