Brighton youngster Evan Ferguson signs a new five-year deal after breakout season

Brighton youngster Evan Ferguson has signed a new five-year deal after a breakout season with the Seagulls. 

The 18-year-old striker’s contract was due to expire in the summer of 2026 and he has attracted strong interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.

However, the forward, who joined Brighton from Irish side Bohemians ahead of Liverpool in 2021, has commited his future to Roberto de Zerbi’s side. 

The terms of the extension reward Ferguson’s recent progress and De Zerbi believes Brighton is the best place for the teenager to develop. 

‘It’s important for us, very important news. He can improve a lot with us,’ De Zerbi said ahead of Brighton’s trip to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

Brighton’s Evan Ferguson has signed a new five-year deal after a breakout season

Working under Roberto De Zerbi is said to be seen as best for the Irishman’s development

‘Brighton have the right conditions for young players and he is 18, we mustn’t forget that.

‘He is playing very well. Man United (in the FA Cup) was bad for us without him, because he has different qualities, can give us different solutions in the last 20 metres.

‘I don’t want to take any risks with him. We have another nine games and maybe he can be important for the last eight, if there is some risk (against Forest).’ 

Albion travel to the City Ground bidding to resume their push for Europe following an agonising FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United. 

Ferguson will once again be assessed after missing the trip to Wembley with an ankle issue sustained in the 2-1 win at Chelsea the previous weekend. 

De Zerbi is determined to make history by bringing continental football to Sussex and help ease the pain of Sunday’s penalty shoot-out loss at Wembley.

‘We are still disappointed for the result,’ the Brighton boss said of the 7-6 spot-kick defeat.

‘We played a fantastic game. We gave our best and we lost the game.

Albion travel to the City Ground following a FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United

‘We have to be stronger, we have to play tomorrow with the same passion, with the same attitude, with the same quality because we have another nine games, very important for us.

‘We can change the history of the club, we can change the history of ourselves and we have a big, big, big motivation to achieve it.

‘To accept better the last result, we have a big opportunity to achieve the target in the Premier League.

‘I think tomorrow is the most important game in our season. We have to restart in our way, in our style. And winning tomorrow for us is a great result.’