Sussex

Pre-season has changed over the years as more clubs are travelling around the world to play friendlies on international soil in front of large capacity crowds.

But Brighton's approach this summer is a stark contrast as six of their eight friendlies have been behind closed doors.

"I use pre-season to build team chemistry and the social bond between them, which is hard to do if you know you are always being observed by the media and supporters," boss Fabian Hurzeler told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"When you have new players coming in, you need to integrate them in a trusting environment. That is what I want to give to my players.

"There are no secrets behind the things we are doing.

"I just think you can build the team chemistry better behind closed doors as players can behave more in their natural way if they know there is nothing they get picked up on by the media or others."

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Brighton have signed Sweden forward Rosa Kafaji on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

The 22-year-old joined Arsenal last summer after a three-year spell with Swedish side Hacken.

She made 19 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, helping the club win the Women's Champions League.

Kafaji began her career at AIK, making her debut aged 15 in 2019 before moving to Hacken in 2022.

The forward made her Sweden debut in 2023 and has gone on to make 10 appearances, scoring two goals.

"We are excited to welcome Rosa to the squad for the season ahead," said Brighton boss Dario Vidosic.

"She's a versatile attacker who shows plenty of promise in the front line.

"She's a fantastic addition to the team for our new campaign and we're excited to see her integrate within our squad and style of play."

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We asked for your views on whether Brighton are ready for the new season after the Seagulls ended their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over Bundesliga side Wolfsburg at Amex Stadium.

Here are some of your comments:

Fran: Was at the Wolfsburg game and we looked good. I still think we are a little too slow in our build-up play. Wolfsburg did not press and we then just played it around hoping they would come at us, which of course they didn't. Teams will do this next season so we need to be quicker in our play. Still think we need another centre forward to cover Welbeck. It was a shame we didn't get to see our new forwards in action, even a small run out would have been nice. Still, plenty to look forward to. Can't wait.

Alfie: I think my club, Brighton, are ready for this season. In many previous seasons, we have seen many players leave (thank you Chelsea) and us get better. They already have replacements for the players who have left and this season is no different with someone like Georginio replacing Joao Pedro! The only exception this season is the left-back position where we signed Maxim De Cuyper to replace Estupinan! Brighton will be absolutely fine this season!

Chris: Offensively looking strong, inventive and full of goals. Defensively, looking weak, out of position, and leaky. There could be some very high scoring games to come.

Matthew: The summer business has been good and Albion are again laying strong foundations for the future. Maxim De Cuyper looks a ready made replacement for Estupinan and we have good strength in depth in most areas of the pitch, except perhaps at left-back. I hope Baleba stays another year and helps push us into Europe again. Who knows, maybe even the Champions League if others struggle to cope with the demands of European football.

Mike: For me the team look almost ready but I still have defensive concerns. Attacking-wise things look tasty but a back three? Large gaps appeared in all friendly games and Premier League sides will exploit this. Another rollercoaster season ahead.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Brighton have signed French defender Maelys Mpome from Chelsea on a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old joined Women's Super League champions Chelsea in 2024 following a four-year stint at Montpellier.

She made eight appearances in all competitions and was part of the Chelsea squad that won the domestic Treble last season.

The centre-back was called up to the France senior squad in 2025 but is yet to make an appearance.

"We're pleased to have Maelys with us. She's had some exposure to the WSL already and we feel she can really develop with us," said Brighton boss Dario Vidosic.

"She's a versatile defender with a lot of good attributes and we're looking forward to working with her."

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says his team's improvement is an "ongoing process" but their final pre-season test was "very positive".

The Seagulls rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over Wolfsburg at the Amex Stadium on Saturday after a 2-0 win over the same opponents in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier in the day.

"Both teams played very intense," Hurzeler told BBC Radio Sussex.

"We have to improve but overall very positive. No injuries so far from what I've heard and now we can prepare for Fulham.

"We shouldn't emphasise in an artificial way this week before the start [of the season]. It's an ongoing process - you always have to develop and always have to improve.

"That's what we did last season and that is what we'll do this season.

"We were improving in pre-season, we will improve this week.

"We will focus on ourselves, try and be better in the details, try and be sharp for Fulham, and then its an ongoing process to develop as a group and as individual players."

Summer signing Maxim de Cuyper scored Brighton's second goal at the Amex on Saturday and has caught his manager's eye with his impact since his £17.5m move from Club Brugge.

"I'm impressed because he integrated as a person quite quick and that is something I don't often see in the football business," Hurzeler added.

"He does in a very natural way and therefore you can see he immediately integrated with the team on the pitch by having good performances. I'm quite happy for him."

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