Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler believes new signing Maxim de Cuyper brings a 'winner's mentality' in to his squad.

The 24-year-old left-back has signed from Club Brugge on a five-year-deal and will join up with his team-mates this weekend.

"Maxim arrives having won the league and cup in recent years with Brugge," said Hurzeler. "It's great that despite his young age, he clearly has a winner's mentality.

"We're excited to work with him."

Maxim came through the youth ranks with Brugge, making his professional debut in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the last 32 of the Europa League in 2020.

"Maxim is a creative left-back who has great experience at Champions League level as well as in the domestic league," Hurzeler added.

"He has a great reputation for creativity and has shown his ability across different positions, although we primarily see him challenging for a left-back spot with us.

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Brighton have added Dutch goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar to Fabian Hurzeler's backroom staff.

The 44-year-old has worked at NAC Breda, Anderlecht, where he worked with Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen, Burnley, Manchester United and Leicester City alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"Jelle is an outstanding coach, and we're really pleased he is joining us," Hurzeler said. "He has so much experience of European football and the Premier League and will be a strong addition to our coaching staff."

During his playing career Jelle made nearly 500 appearances for eight clubs, seven of them in the Netherlands including nearly 400 games for Breda

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We asked for your views on the news that Joao Pedro has joined Chelsea in a deal worth £60m and your initial reaction to the transfer.

Here are some of your comments:

Fran: Selling Pedro is a good bit of business for the Albion. I always thought he was inconsistent. He was always reliable as a penalty taker but you need more. I would be more sorry if we lost Mitoma. Anyway, good luck to Pedro in Brighton's reserve team!

Ted: For an established Premier League goal scoring forward - a profile in short supply - this looks somewhat cheap. I hope Brighton have a ready-made replacement in mind as we look a bit light up front.

Lawrence: Pleased. He's a great player and gives 100% in and out of the training/Premier League games. My only concern is he's hot-headed and can be a tad aggressive which lands him into trouble. Is that a bad thing or good thing? Time will tell but he has fallen out with a few players here and has received red cards so can be a liability. But, when he's on his game he's fabulous to watch. I wish him well.

Alastair: Brighton don't make many mistakes with player sales and this isn't one of them. Pedro only shows his best in flashes and gets petulant when Brighton concede or his fellow players are trying to walk the ball into the net, which is a common problem at the Amex. I expect he'll be swallowed up by the masses of failed transfers at Stamford Bridge. As ever Brighton are meanwhile quietly recruiting the next £60m sell-on.

Paul: Joao Pedro is undoubtedly a gifted player and I have had the privilege of seeing him score some cracking goals. However, I've never been convinced that he was 100% committed to the club. His demeanour and his interaction with other players just left me feeling his heart wasn't in it and he had his eyes on bigger, shinier things. He looked bored. He'll fit in well along the Kings Road and its London living and nightlife. Best of Brighton luck to the lad.

Alex: Obviously a loss on the pitch, but for every big moment there'd be games he went missing, and with Rutter, Gruda and perhaps Buonanotte all capable of playing in the same role, I think it's a good move. Rutter an upgrade as well I believe.

Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma, 28, has told Brighton he wants to stay at the club and sign a new deal despite being linked with Bayern Munich (Sky Sports), external

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Dutch football expert Michael Statham from Football Oranje speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast about Olivier Boscagli's move from PSV to Brighton: "At PSV, Boscagli has been such a key player for six years now. This is a good signing for Brighton and it fits their club really well.

"Boscagli is one of the best defenders in the Dutch league. He didn't have the best season last season - he just wasn't 100%. He got better towards the end when there was something to play for, but generally he was coming up to his peak, but wasn't mentally at 100%. That said, he is still an impressive defender.

"PSV are a very attacking team and he suits that because he is so good on the ball. On progressive passes, he is first there and he is strong defensively. He is a leader in that so much of the play goes through him.

"At Brighton Boscagli will come and play centre-back. He has great long balls, dribbles at times and is always progressive and forward-thinking. He is threatening with shots as well and gets in the box for corners.

"He talks to players on the pitch and has a go when it isn't good enough. I wonder how he will get on with Brighton playing a bit deeper and having less of the ball than he is used to at PSV. That will be challenging, but that's not to say he won't handle it.

On making the move to the Premier League: "He should be able to handle a move to the Premier League. It is spoken about how hard it can be for Dutch league players but he comes in and improves this Brighton team. He is physical and has enough about him to handle this.

"Boscagli will want European football. Brighton will too but Boscagli will also want the Premier League adventure. He won't be expecting to be battling relegation. He has played in the Champions League and the Europa League before.

"I hope that Brighton fans realise the statement of this signing. It is a free transfer - but he has all this experience and is a really good defender."

More on Boscagli from 14'00 on Albion Unlimited

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Fabian Hurzeler says Olivier Boscagli's versatility will be an asset to Brighton after the defender signed on a five-year deal from PSV.

Boscagli, 27, won Dutch titles in 2024 and 2025, registering 43 appearances in all competitions for PSV last season before his contract expired at the end of last month.

"We're delighted to welcome Olivier to Brighton," said Hurzeler.

"He has got a lot of experience with PSV and we like his versatility. He can play in several positions and we feel it is important to have these players in our squad. We are looking forward to working with him."

Boscagli - capped to under-21 level with France - operated as a left-back and central defender for PSV.

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Former Albion striker Warren Aspinall has been speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about Joao Pedro's legacy at Brighton given his impending move to Chelsea: "Pedro will be remembered somewhere in between a bold maverick and the impulsive hothead.

"He has got that spark and hot fuse in him and that is what let him down in the tussle with Jan Paul van Hecke on the training ground. He can produce moments that win games but I have also seen him do some bad things as well. I have seen him throwing his hands up in the air. He does that too often.

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"He lets fire get to his concentration - we saw that at Brentford last season. You have to weigh up the pros and cons for him and I think this is a great deal for Brighton. You don't want a bad egg in your dressing room. He is selfish on the pitch and complains when the ball doesn't come to him. You can see all of those traits and you don't want that upsetting the dressing room.

"This group of players at Brighton are close-knit on and off the pitch - the fans, the players, the staff. It's a family. You don't need someone upsetting the apple cart.

"If he thinks he is better than the other players at Brighton, he should be bringing them up not dragging them down. We'll see how good he is when he goes to Chelsea, if he thinks he is better than Brighton. It will be a big ask."

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Brighton chief executive Paul Barber says Joao Pedro's move to Chelsea is a "disappointment" but believes that when a player wants to move, it is important to find a "plan that suits everybody".

The Brazil international signed for a then club-record £30m from Watford in 2023 and after scoring 30 goals in 70 games for the Seagulls has now moved to Stamford Bridge for £60m.

"Joao leaving us is a disappointment in many ways but at the same time we've realised the significant profit made on Joao from the signing we made from Watford," Barber told BBC Radio Sussex.

"We've had two great seasons from him, a lot of goals, a lot of great memories. We wish him well. He's been a great player for us while he's been here.

"Joao has been given a chance to play in the Champions League. When you've got ambitions to play in a World Cup as he has next summer with his country, he's going to need and want to push to play at the highest possible level.

"We know from previous experience when players are in that mindset sometimes its better to talk to Fabian [Hurzeler], talk to Tony [Bloom], talk to David [Weir] and come up with a plan that suits everybody. It doesn't have to just suit the player - it needs to suit the club as well.

"In this case, I think the value we've achieved, the timing and the players we've bought in, all works for us as well as him. As I say, I wish him well."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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Brighton have confirmed Argentina international Valentin Barco has completed a permanent switch to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

Barco signed for the Seagulls for £7.87m on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Boca Juniors in January 2024 but spent the first half of last season on loan at Sevilla.

The 20-year-old was then loaned to Strasbourg in January, making 15 appearances to help Liam Rosenior's side qualify for the Conference League.

He departs Brighton having made seven appearances for the club.

Technical director David Weir, said: "This is a move that suits all parties, and we wish Valentin the best of luck for the future."

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Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler says the sale of Joao Pedro to Chelsea represents "a good move for all parties".

The Brazilian - who joined the Seagulls for £30m in 2023 - has moved to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £60m.

In May, Pedro missed Brighton's final game of the season against Tottenham because of his involvement in a "small issue" during training.

"It's an excellent deal for the club, and a good return on a significant investment in an area of the pitch where we have a lot of competition and are already well served in terms of our attacking talent," said Hurzeler.

"It's also an exciting move for Joao. It gives him the opportunity to play Champions League football this coming season, and he will of course be keen to cement his position in the Brazil team ahead of the World Cup next summer.

"Joao has given us some wonderful moments - during my time and before I came to the club - so, on behalf of everyone, I would like to thank him for his service over the past two seasons and wish him the best for the future."

Pedro said: "I want to thank you all for the past two years we've been together, and for all the support and great memories that we created. It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with this team."

What do you think about the deal? Get in touch here with your thoughts

British boxer Harlem Eubank says Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler can "throw his hands a little" in the ring.

Eubank - who was once an academy prospect at Brighton - is preparing to face Jack Catterall at the AO Arena in Manchester.

The welterweight fighter says he done a little training alongside Hurzeler, adding: "I've done a couple with him and his family, he's a great guy and an incredible manager.

"He can throw hands a little bit, boxing training is a great way to get fit, it's great whether it's fighting or fitness."

On the Seagulls he said: "We've been on fire, every season we get better, we've had big wins against the top four teams and hopefully we can build on that next year."

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Brighton have unveiled their away strip for the 2025-26 season - and it is purple!

The club say this is the first time they have centralised their crest since Nike took over making the kits in 2014.

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Former Brighton player Ben Barclay has rejoined the club as part of the Under-21 team to act as an overage player and mentor.

The 28-year-old has signed a one-year contract and will be part of the playing squad for the 2025-26 season.

Barclay joined the Seagulls' academy from Manchester City in 2013 and was included in Chris Hughton's 25-man squad for the 2018–19 Premier League season, making his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

He was then loaned to Notts County in 2019 before joining Accrington Stanley permanently later that year.

Barclay played for Stockport County and Yeovil Town before a spell at Carlisle United ended with his release this summer.

Under-21 head coach Shannon Ruth said: "I am really pleased to welcome Ben back to the club. He knows exactly what it takes to progress from academy football into the senior game and will be a great role model for our young pros.

"He has excellent EFL experience that he can share with the group. We believe he is a valuable addition to our development programme and we are excited to work with him.

"We will benefit from that not just in matches, but in training throughout the week, where having that experience out on the grass, alongside the players is invaluable."

The latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast is here with BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor and former Albion striker Warren Aspinall discussing all things Seagulls.

There's reaction to Joao Pedro's impending move to Chelsea and what his legacy will be at the club, while there's also chat about whether a bid for Harvey Elliott makes sense.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Since 2022, Brighton have become something of a feeder club to Chelsea - at least on paper.

Should Joao Pedro complete his switch to Stamford Bridge, he will become the fifth high-profile departure from Brighton, with around £280m going the other way.

Despite such an exodus, it is remarkable how Brighton have kicked on and thrived under first Roberto de Zerbi and now Fabian Hurzeler.

The transfers began with Marc Cucurella in the summer of 2022, joining Chelsea for a fee of £60 million, despite only one season in the Premier League.

Not long after, Graham Potter was plucked from Amex Stadium to replace Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea reportedly paying £21 million for the head coach and his entire backroom staff - a record amount for a manager. He duly lasted just seven months in west London.

Potter's sacking did not end Chelsea's fascination with Brighton. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez arrived for £25 million in August 2023 before the marquee signing of Moises Caicedo a week later. The Ecuador midfielder broke the British transfer record when he arrived from £100m rising to £115m.

After a two-year break, Chelsea are back on the south coast to seal a £60 million deal for Joao Pedro, a forward whose metrics suggest he is one of the most astute attackers in the league. Yet despite this loss of talent and leadership, Brighton have not stumbled.

Under Hurzeler, the youngest manager in Premier League history, Brighton have evolved tactically while remaining fiercely competitive. His rapid, high-pressing philosophy has built on the foundation left by De Zerbi, while injecting a new energy into the squad.

Albion's renowned recruitment model built around data, undervalued talent, and succession planning continues to pay dividends, with shrewd signings like Carlos Baleba, Bart Verbruggen, and emerging academy talents helping fill the voids left by big-money exits.

Hurzeler's Brighton have defied the usual trajectory of clubs losing players to the 'big six', remaining in the hunt for European football.

It is a testament to Brighton's structural integrity, from chairman Tony Bloom's vision to the club's elite recruitment and analytical departments.