Brighton & Hove Albion

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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.

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says the owner is keeping him "busy" during the off-season as they continue their work in the transfer market.

The Seagulls have already been active in the summer window, having signed three teenagers and 21-year-old defender Diego Coppola.

Hurzeler and the ownership will be looking to build on the German's first season in charge as they look to secure European football again having narrowly missed out in 2024-25 when they finished eighth in the Premier League.

With interest in a number of their key players, the club's work will not only focus on who they can bring in but who they can keep hold of and who may head out the door.

"The owner keeps me busy, in a good way," Hurzeler told BBC Radio Sussex during a charity walk for the club's foundation.

"I'm really happy to work. It is a lot of work to do - the preparation for the season and pre-season is very important.

"You need the right people, the right squad, so you need to do a lot of research, a lot of calls.

"I'm really happy we are working in detail, working to get the right people. The players we have signed already have great characters and great potential, and I'm very, very happy they have signed with us. I'm really looking forward to working with them."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Newcastle have launched a bid to sign Brighton's 23-year-old Brazil forward Joao Pedro. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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Former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall is hopeful 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas "is going to be the next star" for the club.

The teenager, who signed from Olympiakos earlier this month, only made his senior debut for the Greek side in 2024 but has seen his career develop quickly.

He follows Brighton's renowned recruitment style of buying and developing young talent and turning a profit later down the line.

"I wish him all the best because he has only just turned 18 and he has got everything going for him," said Aspinall on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.

"He will give Brighton different attacking options because he can play on the left, right or as a number 10.

"We might know what he is going to do for Brighton but the opposition managers won't always know where he is going to play. So for the first five or 10 minutes of a game they might still be thinking where is he playing.

"His career has happened very quickly for him so it is just about keeping his feet on the ground and seeing what he can do.

"He is a big lad. I hope he is going to be the next star for Brighton.

"He has the best people around him at the club because it is like one big family."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Leyton Orient are interested in bringing in Brighton striker Mark O'Mahony. (Alan Nixon), external

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Adam Lallana has announced his retirement from football, describing his time at Brighton as some of the "happiest years" of his life.

The 37-year-old made 569 appearances in his career, 104 of which came with the Seagulls.

"As I call time on my playing career, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride," Lallana posted on social media.

"I could not be more appreciative of the opportunities I've been given and the support I've received along the way."

Talking specifically about Brighton, Lallana added: "Home to some of the happiest years of my life, at a club deeply connected to its community and run in such a smart, modern way."

A new episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.

The agent and family of Charalampos Kostoulas discuss his move to Brighton - plus the team discuss the latest from the transfer window and assess the Seagulls' Premier League fixtures.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Brighton have received a £25.6m offer from Napoli for Denmark midfielder Matt O'Riley, 24. (Sky Sports), external

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Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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Brighton & Hove Albion have made a fast start to the summer transfer window but the majority of incoming business appears to be done.

The capture of young Greek star Charalampos Kostoulas has certainly grabbed the headlines and the Seagulls appear to have fought off strong competition for his signature.

The arrival of Diego Coppola, currently performing at the European Under-21 Championship, from Hellas Verona also indicates a remoulding of the defence with the statistics for the 21-year-old's season in Serie A presenting a strong, physical profile.

Both will have to transition to a new country and a new league but Brighton has a track record of helping young potential settle into a new environment. Kostoulas will be helped by the arrival of fellow Greek forward Stefanos Tzimas who signed for the club in January but remained on loan at Nuremberg.

Coppola meanwhile will be joined by free agent Olivier Boscagli who is expected to join on 1 July after his contract at PSV expires.

Brighton owner and chairman Tony Bloom this week told ITV Racing he did not think there would be "a huge amount more" business done by Brighton but that the club always stays alert to any opportunities that may arise in the short-term.

Now the focus will inevitably switch to departures.

Joao Pedro appears to have several suitors, Kaoru Mitoma will be in demand and Carlos Baleba is bound to have his admirers but the management have always only allowed key players to move at the right price.

With the arrival of two defenders there may not be room for the likes of Igor Tudor in the squad next season while extended contracts for James Milner and Tariq Lamptey provide continuity with both hoping to put their injury concerns behind them.

Overall the squad looks balanced in terms of age and experience. With one Premier League season under his belt, Fabian Hurzeler should be more adept at getting the best out of his team.

The 32-year-old has stressed his desire for physicality and intensity in his squad and both appear to be reflected in the deals done so far.

Chelsea have made initial contact with Brighton over Brazil striker Joao Pedro, 23, who is also wanted by Newcastle. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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