Pedro Joins Chelsea, Albion Sign De Cuyper, and Other Brighton News (News Roundup July 1-8)
The Seagulls signed three players this week and let three others go. Let’s get caught up on these stories and all the other Brighton news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Maxim De Cuyper - Brighton bring in Belgian left-back for €20m
Tuttomercatoweb reported last week that Brighton, Roma, and Milan were all interested in Club Brugge left-back Maxim De Cuyper. The report stated that the Albion were pushing hard to get the deal done before the Italian giants could.
The transfer progressed quickly since then with Fabrizio Romano repeating Tuttomercatoweb’s report and Belgian outlets picking up the story on July 4. The Albion announced that they had signed the Belgian on July 5 for a reported €20m (£17.2m) plus add-ons.
Olivier Boscagli - Albion announce center-back signing
Brighton have finally announced the signing of French center-back Olivier Boscagli. The club attempted to sign him last summer, but his former club PSV were unwilling to sell. Boscagli was upset about this and said so multiple times last season. The 27-year-old let his contract run out and reportedly agreed to a pre-contract agreement with Brighton back in May.
Manuela Vanegas Cataño - Brighton Women sign Colombian left-back from Real Sociedad
Brighton Women have added another player to their back line ahead of the upcoming WSL season. The club have signed Manuela Vanegas Cataño from Liga F side Real Sociedad. The Colombian international has made 34 appearances for her nation, including all four of Las Chicas Superpoderosas World Cup matches in 2023.
Dario Vidosic described Manuela Vanegas as “a solid defender who is both reliable at defending and threatening moving forward.” He added, “Her energy and creativity will be a real asset for us as we push towards our goals this season.”
Patrick Wimmer - Wolfsburg winger turns down Brighton offer
Two weeks ago, German and Austrian newspapers reported that Brighton were pushing hard to sign Wolfsburg winger Patrick Wimmer ahead of RB Leipzig and other interested clubs. Now, those same newspapers (via Get Football News Germany) report that Wimmer has turned down a contract offer from Brighton. The report notes that the 24-year-old may prefer to stay in Germany.
Albian Hajdari - Brighton linked to FC Lugano defender
Bild (via Sport Witness) claims that Brighton are keeping tabs on FC Lugano center-back Albian Hajdari. The 22-year-old has been linked heavily to Werder Bremen, but Bild says that interest from Brighton and Bournemouth could make it difficult for the Bundesliga side to sign the Kosovan.
Outgoing Transfers
João Pedro - Chelsea sign Brazilian forward for a reported £60m fee
Last week, David Ornstein revealed that Brighton were close to selling João Pedro to Chelsea for a fee “in excess of £50m.” The deal was officially announced on Wednesday. Most reports say that Chelsea paid £55m plus £5m in add-ons for the Brazilian.
Pedro immediately joined Chelsea in the United States for the Club World Cup and has already made an appearance for the Blues. He featured off the bench in Chelsea’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Palmeiras.
“I want to thank you all for the past 2 years we’ve been together, for all the support and great memories that we created, it was a pleasure and a privilege to work with this team,” Pedro said on social media.
Valentín Barco - Permanent move to Strasbourg officially announced
Multiple French outlets reported last week that Strasbourg had officially paid its mandatory buy-option for Brighton left-back Valentín Barco. Brighton announced his departure on Wednesday. Reports say that Strasbourg paid £8.5m for the Argentine, which is similar to what Brighton bought him for in 2024. The deal also reportedly includes a sell-on clause.
Ibrahim Osman - Winger to join Auxerre on loan with buy-option
According to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton have agreed to send Ibrahim Osman on loan to Ligue 1 side Auxerre. The deal also reportedly contains a buy-option clause worth €16m (£13.8). Romano says that a medical has already been booked and that the deal is done.
Facundo Buonanotte - Argentine set for another loan move
In a piece discussing Joao Pedro’s transfer to Chelsea, The Athletic’s Andy Naylor revealed that “Facundo Buonanotte is poised for another loan in England to qualify as homegrown after a season on loan at Leicester.”
Buonanotte has previously been linked to Leeds. It’s unclear if they are still interested or who else might be interested in the Argentine.
Adam Webster - Albion defender linked to Everton
According to Mail Sport, “Everton have asked about Brighton defender Adam Webster.” It’s unclear how strong the Toffees’ interest is, but Webster has been linked away from Brighton multiple times in the last 12 months.
Evan Ferguson - Price tag set, Italian clubs interested in loan move
TuttoAtalanta and other Italian outlets have reported that Atalanta have identified Evan Ferguson as a target to bring in on loan this transfer window. Sky Sports’ Gianluca Di Marzio separately reported that Roma have held discussions with Brighton about a loan deal for Ferguson.
Football Insider, meanwhile, claim that the Seagulls are willing to let Ferguson leave permanently. Their report says that Brighton have “slashed” the Irishman’s price tag and could sell him for as little as £28m this summer.
Malick Yalcouye - Hoffenheim keen on loan for Brighton wonderkid
After a successful season on loan with Austrian side Sturm Graz, Malick Yalcouye could be headed to Germany. Charlie Parker-Turner reports that Bundesliga side Hoffenheim have “already made contact” with Yalcouye’s camp.
However, Parker-Turner adds that “Brighton are yet to make a decision on whether Yalcouye will leave the club this summer or if he will be integrated into Fabian Hurzeler’s first team.”
Amario Cozier-Duberry - Winger joins Bolton Wanderers on loan
After struggling with fitness last season in the Championship on loan with Blackburn Rovers, Amario Cozier-Duberry has joined League One side Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan. The 20-year-old joined Brighton from Arsenal on a free transfer last summer.
James Beadle - U21 Euros winner joins Birmingham City on loan
Alex Crook and other outlets reported during the U21 Euros that Brighton had agreed to send James Beadle on loan to Championship club Birmingham City. Now that the tournament is over, the Albion and the Blues have confirmed the deal and Beadle is headed to Birmingham to play in the Championship again this season.
Beadle started every game for the Young Lions in their successful U21 Euros campaign. He spent the last two seasons on loan with Sheffield Wednesday.
Mark O'Mahony - U21 forward joins Reading on loan
20-year-old forward Mark O'Mahony has joined League One side Reading on a season-long loan. The Irishman spent last season in the Championship with Portsmouth, where he played just 13 matches and scored three goals.
Kamari Doyle - Reading seeking double Brighton loan deal
In a report confirming Mark O'Mahony’s loan to Reading, Andy Naylor revealed that the Royals are “interested in borrowing Kamari Doyle.” The 19-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan at Exeter City and later with Crawley Town in League One.
Odel Offiah - Defender sold to Preston North End for £1.5m
22-year-old defender Odel Offiah has left the club to join Preston North End in the Championship. The Lilywhites reportedly paid £1.5m for the Albion academy graduate. Multiple clubs wanted Offiah after his impressive stint on loan with Blackpool last season. QPR and Charlton were just some of the clubs linked to him.
Other News & Media
Reports of Kaoru Mitoma wanting sign new Brighton contract dismissed
Sky Sports dropped a bombshell story last Wednesday that Kaoru Mitoma had “told Brighton he wants to stay at the club and sign a new deal.” However, Andy Naylor claims this is untrue.
“He (Mitoma) is motivated by career progression, not money. Until and unless such an offer comes in and there is a decision to be made, Mitoma will remain a Brighton player. He is happy and settled at the club, with two years still remaining on his current contract, although reports of him wanting to sign a new deal and stay have been described to The Athletic as ‘fake news’ by sources close to the player.” Naylor reported on Tuesday.
Club reveals 2024-25 kits
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Brighton unveiled their new kits for the upcoming 2024-25 season (see above). The home kit is a familiar blue-and-white striped number with a touch of hyperturq in the Nike swoosh. The away kit is mauve with a slightly darker purple center stripe and centered badge.
Some fans were quick to notice that the kits the players were wearing in the announcement promo were different from the ones available at the club shop. According to Footy Headlines, the player-issue shirt is made with Nike Dri-FIT ADV technology, while the fan replica uses standard Dri-FIT, which “has a much flatter, simpler texture.”
Footy Headlines adds that this is the first time a Premier League club has been supplied with Nike's top-tier Dri-FIT ADV kits for its players, while withholding that version from public sale.
Harry Howell signs first professional contract
After breaking into the first team at the end of last season, Harry Howell has signed his first professional contract with Brighton. The 17-year-old attacker made his first-team debut as an 84th-minute substitute alongside his cousin Jack Hinshelwood in the Albion’s 3-2 win over Liverpool. Howell’s new deal runs through the 2027-28 season.
Albion hire Jelle ten Rouwelaar as new goalkeeping coach
Brighton have hired Jelle ten Rouwelaar to be one of the club’s new goalkeeping coaches. The 44-year-old former NAC Breda stalwart most recently served as assistant Manager and goalkeeping coach alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City. He also previously coached Bart Verbruggen at NAC Breda and Anderlecht.
Ben Barclay rejoins club as U21 coach and overaged player
Former Brighton player Ben Barclay has rejoined the club to play as an overaged player in the U21 team. The 28-year-old will also work alongside U21 head coach Shannon Ruth as a mentor to the squad. Barclay played for Carlisle United in League Two last season.
Albion honored at Stadium Experience Awards
Brighton picked up two trophies at this year’s Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards on Thursday at the Amex. The club won the gold medal for the Matchday Hospitality Award (Large Stadium) and Overall Matchday Hospitality Award. They are the first club to win the latter award in two consecutive years.
Interviews
Jack Hinshelwood and Brighton youth team staff were profiled in The Athletic to talk about the rise of Brighton’s academy and football in Sussex over the last 20 years.
Hinshelwood also spoke about his U21 Euros success and what’s next in a separate interview with the official club website.
Fabian Hurzeler hinted at changing his tactics in comments to club media this week.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of his fight against Jack Catterall, boxer and Brighton fan Harlem Eubank revealed that Fabian Hurzeler “can throw hands a little bit.”
João Pedro broke his silence about his training-ground bust-up with Jan Paul Van Hecke (The Mirror).