'Modern full-back' De Cuyper will 'benefit' from Brighton movepublished at 13:01 BST 16 July
13:01 BST 16 July
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New Brighton left-back Maxim de Cuyper has "picked the right environment" by joining the Seagulls, says Belgium football podcaster Ben Jackson.
The 24-year-old joined earlier this month from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge for a reported £17.5m.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Jackson said: "I wouldn't say I was surprised he was going to the Premier League, but part of me was surprised he went to Brighton with some of the other clubs he was linked with.
"There was a lot of talk about Italian sides like AC Milan in Serie A, so it always felt like he would end up in Italy. But, when Brighton popped up from the Premier League I thought, 'yeah, that does kind of make sense'.
"There is the link between Brighton and another Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise anyway so it's not like they wouldn't have that understanding of who he is.
"For him, while he may sacrifice a bit European football, in the long run he should benefit more from this move than one of the Serie A giants.
"He is joining a side in Brighton where development is encouraged in the way they bring players through. I think he is ready and I think he has picked the right environment."
Full-back De Cuyper has spent his whole career in Belgium, but played in the Champions League for Brugge, including games against Aston Villa.
On where his best position is, Jackson explained: "As a left-back he is most comfortable, that is where he played in youth teams and Westerlo.
"It was tricky when he went to Club Brugge as they had just signed another young left-back and they were trying to fit them both in. They played De Cuyper at right-back and it didn't really work. They didn't get the best out of him and he looked really uncomfortable.
"He has played slightly further up on international duty, but you don't want him further up than left midfield.
"He is very creative, his assist numbers are good and he has got an eye for goal."
Brighton youngster Yoon makes Eredivisie loan movepublished at 12:30 BST 16 July
12:30 BST 16 July
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Brighton winger Yoon Do-young has joined Dutch top-flight side Excelsior Rotterdam on a season-long loan deal.
The South Korea Under-20 international signed a a five-year contract to join the Seagulls in March but was loaned back to Daejeon Hana Citizen for the remainder of the season before officially completing the move on 1 July.
Technical director David Weir said: "We planned for Yoon to spend his first season on loan, so we're pleased that he will get that opportunity in a top European league.
"The priority for him this season is to acclimatise to life in Europe – he is a young guy and we hope a positive settling in period can be the foundation to a really successful time here."
Yoon, 18, made 33 appearances for Daejeon Hana Citizen, scoring once and assisting four times.
The latest Albion Unlimited is here and on this week's show, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor is joined by former Brighton player Warren Aspinall as they assess the value of pre-season and upcoming friendlies.
The team will also be discussing which players could be heading through the Amex exit door and take a look at new left-back recruit Maxim De Cuyper.
Would selling Ferguson be a mistake?published at 16:15 BST 15 July
16:15 BST 15 July
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
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BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell has been answering your questions.
Chris asked: Are Brighton making a mistake if they sell Evan Ferguson or should they continue sending him on loan to other Premier League teams?
Alex replied: The worry from a fans' point of view is that they could have another Viktor Gyokeres on their hands. He didn't have the best time at the club and then left - and now he looks set to complete a big move to Arsenal.
Ferguson had an amazing start to senior football and looked to be a natural goalscorer. He has had injuries and then went on loan to West Ham, where he did not score a league goal.
It may be he just needs game time. Brighton very rarely get it wrong, but they have all of those things to decide on and that is without the player's own wishes too.
How much did Premier League clubs earn in prize money?published at 19:32 BST 14 July
19:32 BST 14 July
All 20 clubs earn a share of Premier League prize money. The amount each club receives depends on their league position and number of televised matches.
Prize money consists of UK and international merit broadcast payments, equal shares, commercial revenues and facility fees.
All clubs received a central commercial payment of £7.9m and equal shares from UK (£29.8m) and international (£59.2m) revenues.
Clubs are also paid a facility fee for matches broadcast on domestic TV. Liverpool had 30 of their 38 league matches televised - more than any other club.
1st: Liverpool - £174.9m
2nd: Arsenal - £171.5m
3rd: Manchester City - £165.5m
4th: Chelsea - £163.7m
5th: Newcastle United - £160.2m
6th: Aston Villa - £159.3m
7th: Nottingham Forest - £152.5m
8th: Brighton - £145.1m
9th: Bournemouth - £143.4m
10th: Brentford - £138.9m
11th: Fulham - £135.5m
12th: Crystal Palace - £136.1m
13th: Everton - £131.8m
14th: West Ham - £130.9m
15th: Manchester United - £136.2m
16th: Wolves - £123.1m
17th: Tottenham - £127.8m
18th: Leicester - £116.9m
19th: Ipswich Town - £111.1m
20th: Southampton - £109.2m
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.
We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.
Gossip: Ferguson agrees Roma movepublished at 07:47 BST 14 July
07:47 BST 14 July
Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has agreed a move to Roma, with the Italian club now in discussions over a fee for the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker. (Gianluca di Marzio - in Italian, external)
Hurzeler could not guarantee Adingra regular game timepublished at 17:36 BST 10 July
17:36 BST 10 July
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Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has thanked winger Simon Adingra for his "significant contribution" after he joined Sunderland for an intial £21m.
The 23-year-old made 33 appearances for the Seagulls last season, including 29 in the Premier League.
In total, he featured 73 times for Albion, scoring 12 goals, after arriving from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in June 2022.
"I have enjoyed working with Simon and he's made a significant contribution during his time with the club," said Hurzeler. "However, he is at a stage in his career where he wants to be playing regularly.
"Given the competition we have in the wide positions, that's not something we could guarantee.
"This move to Sunderland gives him that opportunity, so on behalf of everyone, I'd like to thank Simon for his efforts and wish him well for the future."
Gossip: Seagulls open to loan Ferguson to Romapublished at 07:25 BST 10 July
07:25 BST 10 July
Brighton are open to loaning Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson to Roma but the club are yet to receive approval from the 20-year-old. (Calciomercato - in Italian, external)
Aston Villa are following highly rated Benin attacking midfielder Rodolfo Aloko, 18, from Croatian side NK Kustosija. (Mail, external)
Numbers that show Ferguson's depreciation at Brightonpublished at 16:56 BST 9 July
16:56 BST 9 July
Joe Bradshaw BBC Sport senior journalist
When Evan Ferguson terrorised Newcastle United on 2 September 2023, he became only the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick before turning 19.
The previous season, shortly after his 18th birthday, he had broken into the team and scored three times in his first five appearances.
The world was at his feet - and big clubs were circling.
Nearly two years on, and still only 20, his career has stalled to the point ex-Brighton forward Warren Aspinall says it is time to "sell him for whatever we get".
Clearly, his time on the pitch has been curtailed by injuries, so anything looking at his goal and assist output over the past season would probably be unfair.
For the record, though, six goals apiece in 2022-23 and 2023-24 were followed by just one last season.
However, as the graph above shows, both his passing and shooting accuracy also dropped off last season - not the sign of a player who is maturing but rather hinting at one that is regressing.
It could be argued his lack of minutes makes it harder for him to pick up the rhythm required to be in sync with his team-mates - but even in previous campaigns he was not starting every week under Roberto de Zerbi.
And after all, those who make a splash as a teenager do not necessarily cut loose in the water until later in their career. Everyone progresses differently.
For now, it looks more like that his rip-roaring start to life at Brighton established expectations that were unrealistic.
Aspinall reckons a change of scenery could unlock his ability.
If Brighton sell him, it will be someone else's opportunity to cash in on how that once frightening prospect ultimately turns out.
'Get rid' or 'every player takes time'? Fans on Ferguson's futurepublished at 15:21 BST 9 July
15:21 BST 9 July
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We asked for your views on former Brighton defender Warren Aspinall's comments on this page that Evan Ferguson needs to leave the Seagulls for "a fresh start".
Here are some of your thoughts:
Dave: I agree with Warren. It's a pity that he got injured so much and his stint at the Hammers was a waste of time for all. He's still worth more than we paid for him, so if Roma want then Roma can have, and the very best of luck to him.
Steve: He's never been the same player since either his, or more likely his advisor's, head was turned when the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea were suddenly courting him back in 2023. Shame as he had so much potential. But, I agree time to get rid!
Dave: Agree entirely - not up to our standard.
Olly: With his previous injuries and lack of opportunities he needs a new challenge and regular game time so a loan deal where he is playing regularly not like his loan at West Ham may be the answer this season
Peter: As far as I can see there are three options: 1: sell him; 2: loan to a club in the EFL or 3: Keep him here playing with the under-21s. I certainly wouldn't favour option one. He is a good player who, like Aaron Connolly, impressed hugely on his first start, thus attracting all the "noise". Then he was injured, which seems to have ripped all the confidence out of him. I think he needs some coaching/counselling with a sports psychologist. All players mature at different times - look at Victor Gyokeres. The spark of talent was always there - it just took a little more time to wheedle the performances out of him. Fabian Hurzeler may be the one to do it but we definitely need to keep.
Sell Ferguson 'for whatever we can get' - Aspinallpublished at 11:32 BST 9 July
11:32 BST 9 July
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Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall believes Evan Ferguson needs to a new club to bring his career back on track.
Ferguson was on loan at West Ham last season but only started once for them. His only other two starts in the Premier League came for Brighton before the second week of December.
The forward has also been dealing with recurring ankle problems, having missed significant time with a cruciate ligament injury in 2023-24, but has been linked with a switch to Serie A giants Roma this summer.
"He has to look at himself," Apsinall said on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited. "He didn't hit the ground running at West Ham, did he? Let's be fair. It wasn't happening for him. I think he needs a fresh start. So, for me, it has to be a transfer.
"Sell him for whatever we can get for him. He needs to get going into an environment, a different country. Going to Roma would be a good thing."
🎧 Transfers, U21 glory and squad strengthpublished at 07:51 BST 9 July
07:51 BST 9 July
A new episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.
Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall break down all the latest transfer news, with a deep dive into Brighton's incomings and outgoings this summer.
Plus, special guest Adam Hinshelwood joins to chat about his son Jack and James Beadle's incredible success in winning the Under-21 European Championship with England - and gives his take on the growing strength of the Seagulls' squad.
Osman to go back out on loanpublished at 17:48 BST 8 July
17:48 BST 8 July
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Brighton have confirmed youngster Ibrahim Osman will join Ligue 1 club Auxerre on a season-long loan after a spending the 2024-25 campaign at Feyenoord.
The 20-year-old joined Albion in February 2024 from Danish club FC Nordsjaelland where he scored 10 goals and claimed ten assists in 44 appearances, but has yet to make his Premier League debut.
The club's technical director David Weir said: "Ibrahim had a good loan with Feyenoord last season where he gained experience in the Eredivisie and played in the Champions League.
"As with all of our young players, it's important that he gets as much game time and playing minutes at a high level. Joining Auxerre will provide that chance and will be another important part in his development, and we look forward to watching his progress this season."
Last Pundit Standing - finding the BBC's next football expertpublished at 17:47 BST 8 July
17:47 BST 8 July
Media caption,
The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.
The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.
The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.
Brighton bet big on Pedro replacementpublished at 10:56 BST 8 July
10:56 BST 8 July
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
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We are all usually drawn to the big-name transfers that threaten to break records. It is also worth a trawl through the slightly less glamorous-sounding acquisitions to see where the bargains might be - and who the stars of tomorrow are.
Brighton is not a bad place to start, given their astonishing record of buying low and selling high. With Joao Pedro now at Chelsea, the Seagulls have invested in an 18-year-old striker, Charalampos Kostoulas, as his long-term replacement.
The real surprise is that they have spent more than £30m on this kid from Olympiakos.
Caicedo cost £4m and left for £115m. Marc Cucurella set them back £15m and was sold for over £60m. Alexis Mac Allister was acquired for about £15m and could end up pulling in £55m.
So that initial £30m outlay is big for Brighton, especially for a raw youngster.
There is also the small matter that most people who were looking at Greece, including me, were fixated on 17-year-old midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas. He has only played three games for the national team, but his time at Genk will be limited as the football world beats a path to his front door.
And maybe that is where Brighton are special; unlike others, they are more interested in finding players through the back door.
Gossip: Brighton considering loan options for Doylepublished at 10:50 BST 8 July
10:50 BST 8 July
Brighton are considering loan options for promising 19-year-old English forward Kamari Doyle, with Reading showing strong interest. Doyle, who gained valuable experience with loan spells at Exeter and Crawley last season, could be set for another temporary move to continue his development. (The Athletic), external
Hinshelwood 'champing at the bit to get going again' published at 09:48 BST 7 July
09:48 BST 7 July
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Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood says he is "champing at the bit to get going again" after winning the Under-21 European Championship with England.
Retaining the Young Lions title capped off an exciting few weeks for the Albion man, who became a father just three days before the tournament began.
"It was a crazy sort of start," he told the Brighton website. "It was an amazing month.
"To be part of the under-21 team winning the Euros was very special. I loved every moment of it and I wish I could do it all again."
But there will be no rest for the 20-year-old as he has chosen to return for pre-season training on Tuesday with the rest of the first-team squad.
"The club offered me time off but I said I was going to be at home anyway so I might as well come in.
"I'm so excited already to go back and join the lads again and get going, because the way we finished last season I'm just champing at the bit to get going again."
New signing De Cuyper has 'winner's mentality' - Hurzelerpublished at 16:32 BST 5 July
16:32 BST 5 July
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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.
