Sussex

Forward Julio Enciso has completed a permanent move to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

The 21-year-old has joined the French club in a deal understood to be worth a total of £13.8m for the Seagulls.

Enciso signed for Brighton from Libertad in January 2023, making 57 appearances, scoring five goals and providing six assists.

The Paraguay international has not made Fabian Hurzeler's squad yet this season and spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan with Ipswich Town, where he made 13 appearances and scored twice.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler told club media: "Julio is keen to play regularly, particularly in a World Cup year. We fully appreciate that, but we are not able to guarantee him regular games.

"This opportunity with Strasbourg gives him the chance to play in Ligue 1 and in Europe. We'd like to thank him for his time with us and wish him well for the future."

Strasbourg are linked to fellow Premier League side Chelsea through their BlueCo ownership, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, and our reporters revealed on Sunday it is likely Enciso will play for the Blues after a year in France.

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Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after the win against Manchester City: "We knew it was going to be a tough game against Man City. They are one of the best in the Premier League and in the world.

"The first half, they dominated but we knew we were still in the game. We kept believing and in the second half we were a different Brighton. The crowd was behind us and we were a really strong team."

On the substitutes: "The boys who came on changed the game for us. They lifted the energy and gave us quality. I am happy for the goalscorers - they did really well to come in and score.

"And James Milner, what a guy. It meant a lot. He is a top professional and a great example for us.

"We knew we needed the win before the international break. If you keep working hard, you get what you deserve."

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Brighton & Hove Albion's Brajan Gruda spoke to BBC Radio Sussex about coming off the bench to score the winner against Manchester City on Sunday:

"You can see the stadium erupt when the ball goes in. I just felt happiness - it was amazing. I am happy about getting the three points and to score as well is a great feeling.

"This was an important game to give us confidence for after the international break. It is not good timing but hopefully this win will carry us through to the next games.

On intensity at Brighton: "We train every day to be intense every minute. It doesn't matter when you start playing, at the start or 10 minutes to go. You have to have intent."

Fellow substitute Georginio Rutter also gave his thoughts:

"Football is crazy. We knew our first game was not so good and we were disappointed. We wanted to do better today and that's what we did. It's the feeling you get as a kid - a great win.

"I am being careful in training. I know my body and what I can play. This game has given me great confidence and I tried my best."

On reaching 100 games in English football: "That is a lot! This was my dream at 18 years old and I hope to make it 300. Very proud.

"We have the potential to beat every team so we have to stay consistent."

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Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey has completed a permanent move to Italian side Fiorentina for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old made 122 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring five goals and contributing 16 assists, after joining from Chelsea in January 2020.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: "He's been a valued player throughout his time, but more than that he is a brilliant professional and person.

"This is a good opportunity for him to play both Serie A and European football. On behalf of everyone at the club I'd like to wish him all the very best for the future."

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Crystal Palace have turned their attentions to Brighton centre-back Igor Julio in their search for a potential Marc Guehi replacement.

Palace are set to confirm the signing of Toulouse centre-back Jaydee Canvot, but are also after a second defender in order to let Guehi leave for Liverpool.

Igor is emerging a target for Palace and talks are understood to be under way before the 19:00 BST deadline.

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

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When a 16-year-old James Milner netted his first Premier League goal for Leeds against Sunderland in 2002, he probably would not have expected to be scoring another in the top flight 23 years later.

In converting from the penalty spot aged 39 years and 239 days in Brighton's 2-1 win against his former club Manchester City, Milner became the Premier League's second-oldest goalscorer, adding to the feat of being the second youngest when aged 16 years and 356 days.

Teddy Sheringham holds the oldest record at 40 years and 268 days when he scored for West Ham against Portsmouth on 26 December 2006, while James Vaughan was aged 16 years and 270 days when he netted for Everton against Crystal Palace on 10 April 2005.

Asked about the spot-kick which cancelled out Erling Haaland's opener and sparked Brighton's comeback success, Milner told Sky Sports "it's not the easiest thing, but my experience helped".

That highlights a standout aspect of his career and character. With 640 appearances, few can compete with his level of involvement in the top flight.

His goal ended a six-year drought, back to when he netted for Liverpool at Leicester City in 2019, yet the gap of 2,075 days is only the 50th longest in the Premier League.

Milner's former City and England team-mate Joe Hart said the versatile player - who turns 40 in January and can play at full-back or midfield - "still looks fit and fresh".

Such is the longevity of Milner's career, he has now scored in the Premier League against goalkeepers born in the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s.

"An absolute legend of the game," is how he was described by former Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"His longevity, his fitness... he came on today and scored an excellent penalty.

"When you need those experienced players to step up in moments he does, he was never going to shy away from it."

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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Brighton aren't expected to be very busy on deadline day having made moves for their key targets early in the window. Summer signings have been eased in, with only Maxim de Cuyper regularly featuring in the Seagulls' Premier League starting XI.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler has reiterated that he is happy with the squad but not totally ruled out late business.

With Tariq Lamptey possibly set to leave, a right full-back could make sense - but Albion have several midfielders who can deputise for Joel Veltman.

Meanwhile, Matt O'Riley is set to join Marseille on loan and Jeremy Sarmiento, Julio Enciso and Facundo Buonanotte are all expected to leave.

Following Joao Pedro's move to Chelsea and Evan Ferguson's departure on loan to Roma, Danny Welbeck is the only recognised number nine, but Giorginio Rutter can push higher up the pitch.

Stephanos Tzimas, Babis Kostoulas and Tommy Watson are young and developing attacking talents who will only improve, but they may have to be patient for their chance.

Last week, a smiling Hurzeler gave a few hints that there may be some possible late arrivals, but you feel he will remain satisfied with his options if nothing materialises.