Sussex

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Brighton will sign winger Tom Watson from Sunderland when the summer transfer window opens.

The 18-year-old will join the club for a fee of £10m on 1 June on a four-year deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029.

Watson made his Championship debut in April 2023 and has featured 17 times for the Black Cats, scoring two goals.

He has represented England at under-17 and under-18 level, making his debut for the latter in October 2023.

Brighton technical director David Weir said: "Tommy is an exciting young talent who we have been tracking for a significant period of time.

"He's had an excellent breakthrough season with Sunderland, and we are looking forward to him joining us in the summer.

"However, for now his full focus is on helping them finish their season as strongly as possible."

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says 20-year-old Brajan Gruda will be given the chance to "step into the spotlight" after revealing that starting XI mainstay Georginio Rutter has picked up an ankle injury which "doesn't look great" and could put him on the sidelines long term.

Gruda scored for Germany Under-21s during the international break and was handed a 45-minute runout in the Seagulls' FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Nottingham Forest.

The attacking midfielder joined Brighton from Mainz in August 2024, and Hurzeler was quizzed on the development he has shown since completing his move in his news conference before Albion host Aston Villa on Wednesday.

"He made a great impression in the last game against Nottingham Forest. He had a big impact on our game - he was very fluent, he defended quite well, he was very active and he created a lot of chances for us.

"I'm happy with his development so far - and now there is the chance for him to step into the spotlight, which I'm sure he is really looking forward to.

"It's the physical side of his game that he needs to improve. The intensity is what all of the new players we have this season need to adapt to. They have all said it themselves.

"It's the same procedures for Brajan. He is adapting, training hard and trying to keep improving every day.

"Some players will be ready a little bit earlier than others who will be ready a little bit later, but I'm sure he has the potential to help us. Hopefully we will see that for the rest of the season."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Amex Stadium (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Georginio Rutter has picked up an ankle injury and Adam Webster is dealing with a muscle injury, which both "don't look great". It is "possible" that the duo could be out long term.

• He added: "It's another chance for Brajan Gruda, Matt O'Riley and Eiran Cashin, so I see it more as an opportunity. I will never complain about injuries. Georginio and Adam were in great shape, but that's football and we have to deal with it."

• Hurzeler said there are no worries about other players having to step up: "All of these players that haven't played that much this season have big motivation and big energy. It's these kind of characters that we need for the rest of the season."

• The quick turnaround from Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Nottingham Forest is a "great opportunity for a comeback". He explained: "A setback and a disappointment doesn't feel great, but I always say the feeling of a comeback is always greater, so we have to work for that."

• He believes the Seagulls have proven they are "a team that can stick together" and he thinks they have "a big chance" of getting back to winning ways against Aston Villa.

• On Unai Emery's team: "It's a duel that we know will be a big fight. They are a very mature and experienced team. We know that they want to go to Europe. They are still in three competitions and going for a title, so I think they have had a great season."

• Villa have "quality individual players", such as Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, who can "help every team in the world and definitely make a big impact".

• He is expecting his side to play with "big maturity and intensity" and he is looking for his players to be "more ruthless" than they were against Forest.

• Brighton have the opportunity to record four consecutive home wins in the Premier League for the first time, but they will have to be "consistent and good in every phase to break the statistic".

• When asked whether Brighton having the opportunity to go fourth in the with a win surprises him, he responded: "Why should that surprise me? We've always been a club that doesn't want to hide behind our ambitions or be seen as the small club. Although we don't have the financial budget of other teams, you can still play a good season and fight for Europe if you stick together as a team."

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