Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton's latest signing Costinha will bring energy and experience to the right-back position, believes former Albion striker Warren Aspinall.

BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor discussed the signing with Aspinall as the pair highlighted what it could mean for versatile defender Mats Wieffer.

"Costinha brings energy down that right-hand side and he's experienced in Europe as well," Aspinall said on the Albion Unlimited podcast. "I think he's made 65 appearances since his signing in 2024 for Olympiacos and he's 26-years-old.

"And it's one of those situations where we could get Wieffer into midfield."

Cantor added: "Yeah, I'm desperate to see what Wieffer could achieve. It may be difficult for him to flip-flop, but if Costinha can play regularly at right-back, there's absolutely no reason why Wieffer doesn't become another option in midfield.

"Plus, Costinha's European experience playing in the Champions League, and with Albion going into the Conference League for a second season [after playing in the Europa League in 2023-24], obviously helps.

"We don't know about any player coming into the Premier League because it's so different and if you can deal with it, but I would say that experience is something they've gone for."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Van Hecke has a year left on his current Brighton contract and showed no inclination to extend the deal.

The deal also includes a significant sell-on clause with Brighton profiting further should Spurs sell the player.

Get in touch with your views on the sale here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton have no immediate plans to make a fresh offer for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic.

The revelation Brighton have agreed a £52m deal with Tottenham for Jan Paul van Hecke to move to north London sparked suggestions of a renewed attempt to sign Vuskovic, the 19-year-old who will be part of Croatia's squad to face England on Wednesday.

Vuskovic is viewed as one of the most highly rated young players in Europe and Brighton have already had a £30m offer rejected for him.

After spending last season on loan in Germany with Hamburg, Vuskovic will face more competition for the central defensive positions with the arrival of Van Hecke, although there has been speculation over the future of skipper Cristian Romero.

Brighton are keeping across the situation but they will not be making another bid at the moment.

Evidently, they do need a replacement for Van Hecke, who started 36 out of their 38 Premier League games last season.

However, they do have time.

With a year left on his contract, Brighton feel they have negotiated an excellent deal around Van Hecke, particularly as his move to Tottenham includes what is regarded as a significant sell-on clause, should the 26-year-old Netherlands World Cup star leave the club at some point.

Brighton are not willing to pay Tottenham's £60m asking price for 19-year-old Croatia centre-back Luka Vuskovic, who spent last season on loan at Hamburg. (Football Insider), external

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Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Costinha, full name Joao Pedro Loureiro da Costa, joins Brighton as a result of extensive data analysis and scouting from the club's impressive recruitment model.

Having been targeted since January, the 26-year-old is likely to start the season as back-up to Joel Veltman at right-back. Veltman is in talks to extend a contract that expires at the end of this month.

Adding depth is particularly important in a year when Brighton have qualified for the Conference League. The defender, who is said to speak English, also knows 19-year-old striker Charalampos Kostoulas from their time together at Olympiacos.

It was at the Greek club that Costinha reinvented himself, converting from a winger into a physically powerful right-back - a move that helped him flourish.

Olympiacos gave Costinha experience of playing in the Champions League and chances to win multiple titles in Greece.

However, he was a late bloomer and moved between several academies - Cavaloes, Aveleda, Porto and Braga, as well as a loan spell at Palmeiras - before joining Rio Ave, where he made his breakthrough aged 20 in the Portuguese top flight.

The cousin of former Watford defender Joao Ferreira, Costinha is from Povoa de Varzim, a fishing and resort town just north of Porto, and is the first permanent Portuguese signing in Brighton's history.

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

Johnny Cantor and former Seagulls player Warren Aspinall assess the signing of Costinha, analyse Albion's representatives at the World Cup and play a game of 'keep, loan, sell' - plus Brighton Shakespeare Company artistic director Mark Brailsford discusses his new play to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

The World Cup may be less than a week old but the 2026-27 Premier League fixtures will be released on Friday.

And to get in the mood, we want your stories of opening-day games that have stuck in your minds most - both the good and the bad.

Get in touch with your memories here

And make sure to come back to this page on Friday to see how Brghton's league fixture list has fallen.

It's been a while coming but in Costinha Brighton have signed a player who they hope will solve a troublesome area over the last five years.

In 2020 Joel Veltman signed from Ajax and has made nearly 200 appearances for the Seagulls. The Dutchman is understood to be discussing a possible new deal but is now 34.

Over that period the Seagulls have sought to find a back-up solution with Pascal Gross, Jack Hinshelwood and Solly March all trying to fill in while Tariq Lamptey suffered persistent injury woes. More recently Mats Wieffer, signed as a central midfielder, has emerged as a decent combative option.

Costinha may have to battle Wieffer for his place but the 26-year-old Portuguese fits the robust, intense profile of player Fabian Hurzeler likes. He's described as a player who likes to attack and overlap which fits perfectly into the way the team plays.

His experience should also come in useful as Brighton embark on their second season in Europe. All in all, it is a signing that makes sense in many ways, and at around £11m it looks to be good value. The proof is in the pudding but it could be another inspired deal from a club that has built a reputation for thinking outside the box.

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New Brighton signing Costinha says he wants to help the club "fight for titles".

The 26-year-old right-back has arrived for around £11m on a five-year deal from Olympiakos where he won both the Greek league and cup.

"I'm so excited for this club and to play in the Premier League," he told the Seagulls media team after the move was confirmed.

"It's a dream as a kid and now it's a good moment for this experience and to help this club and my team-mates. It's very important to me.

"I spoke with some people about the club, I'm very excited to start. I think it's a very good club and experience for me. This club I think is like a family and I think that is the best for me.

"The people told me the people here like to help players. I'm excited to meet my team-mates, the coach, and all the staff, and to improve myself here at Brighton.

"I fight for every duel, I'm fast, I'm strong, and I like to run and help fight for titles. I'm motivated a lot for that. I want to feel the fans are happy with me and to help the team achieve our goals."

Former Portugal under-21 international Costinha is the first summer signing for Fabian Hurzeler's side as the club aims to strengthen the squad for only the second European campaign in its history.

"Costinha is a player we have followed closely for some time," added Brighton head coach Hurzeler.

"He has the defensive capabilities, intensity and understanding of what we value. He is also comfortable in and out of possession and will add competition at right-back."

Brighton's Yasin Ayari scored a stunning goal in Sweden's 5-1 victory over Tunisia.

However, Ayari chose not to celebrate as he could have represented the opposition as his father is Tunisian.

Former Albion boss Graham Potter's Sweden are currently at the top of Group F after the opening round of games.

Visit our World Cup index to keep up with all the latest from the tournament

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, 26, says he will resolve his club future following the World Cup after the Seagulls rejected two bids from Tottenham for the Netherlands international. (Sky Sports, external)

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We asked who you think Brighton should keep, loan and sell this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Keep - Carl Rushworth. He is too valuable as Bart Verbruggen looks to depart this transfer window.

Loan - Charalampos Kostoulas, and ideally to a Premier League club. He has shown lots of quality - like the goal against Bournemouth - he just needs to find his feet and work his way into the squad as a regular starter.

Sell - Carlos Baleba. Yes, he has had his moments, but since the rumour of a transfer to Manchester United he's completely fell off form-wise and he doesn't look as pivotal to our midfield as he used to.

Matthew: Keep - Georginio Rutter. The club record signing had a tough season, looking very short of inspiration and ideas. A case of second season syndrome. Needs a reset and to come back fit and sharp, with a point to prove.

Loan - Zadok Yohanna. New Nigerian teenage wonderkid who might want to win trophies with Brighton, but barring injuries he should be off to the Championship first and prove he is worthy of a squad place next season.

Sell - Baleba. He should have probably gone last summer for more money but, in a rare moment for Brighton, we had no replacement in place. A waste of time for everyone in the end and can't see either party wanting to prolong the inevitable.

James: Keep - Facundo Buonanotte. Although he's been on loan for the past two seasons, he's young and has bags of talent.

Loan - Kostoulas. He needs more first-team football. Again, he's young and talented but needs exposure.

Sell - Baleba. His head and heart are elsewhere since the Manchester United links last season and he was poor for us for the majority of the campaign. Has shown glimpses against better teams, but feels like he's auditioning for them. Not the attitude we want here.

Andy: Keep - Brajan Gruda. He was out on loan this season, but has the qualities to be a tricky little number 10.

Loan - Rushworth. Loan him to Coventry for another season and see how he copes with the Premier League. He could be a ready-made replacement for Verbruggen when he inevitably departs.

Sell - Jan Paul van Hecke. He has come on immensely this season as a marauding central defender. One year left on his contract with no signs of him willing to extend. Still prone to the odd mistake, but with Spurs and others sniffing, now would be a good time to start a bidding war for him.

Change is inevitable at football clubs during the summer months and we want to ask you something specific about Brighton's squad.

Tell us:

• One player who should be kept who may be on the fringes and why?

• One player who should be loaned out

• One player who should be sold

We would love names and reasons for all three - get in touch with your views here

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Bart Verbruggen says he has a "great relationship" with Brighton team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke, who he could be set to line up alongside at the World Cup with the Netherlands.

Van Hecke has been the subject of interest from Tottenham but the Seagulls centre-back will be focused on trying to make the starting XI for his national side in a defensive unit that is packed with world-class talent, including Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Spurs' Micky van de Ven.

Speaking about his relationship with Van Hecke on the Albion Unlimited podcast, Brighton goalkeeper Verbruggen said: "For me, we played together for so long, I know already what he's going to do before he does it and it goes the same the other way around.

"I have a great relationship with him on the pitch, but I have a great relationship with all the players in the Netherlands [team]. And I don't just say that to be good now in the interview, it is really true. I feel like I know what they want, they know what I want and how we can help each other best, and hopefully we can show that in the World Cup."

Verbruggen also touched on how much talent this current Dutch side have at their disposal as they look to challenge for the latter stages of this summer's tournament.

"It makes my life a bit easier that's for sure," he added. "As a competitor, you always want to play against the best players, but you also want to beat them, and in order to beat them you need the best on your side as well.

"I have the big privilege to play with the defensive line that I think is up there with the best in the world, and you can feel it, and you build a relationship together."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds here

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Former Brighton midfielder Warren Aspinall hopes the club have found a "diamond" in Zadok Yohanna after the club agreed a £21.5m deal to sign the teenage winger.

The Seagulls secured the signing of the Nigerian forward from Swedish side AIK Stockholm, where he scored five goals and provided four assists in 18 appearances since making his debut in August 2025.

Speaking on the Albion Unlimited podcast, Aspinall said: "I think it's a little bit of a scalp because two other big clubs in England were chasing him in Chelsea and Newcastle, so they got ahead of them which is very good. It might be the right price and the going rate for an 18-year-old up-and-coming, good player.

"Have we got another diamond to polish up? That's what we're looking for, these rough diamonds to polish up and sell on for big money."

Brighton will be hoping to continue their reputation of improving young talents and selling them on for hefty profit with Yohanna.

Some of the biggest Brighton sales include:

• Moises Caicedo to Chelsea - £100m rising to £115m

• Marc Cucurella to Chelsea - £60m

• Joao Pedro to Chelsea - £60m

• Ben White to Arsenal - £50m

• Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool - £35m

Aspinall also touched on another player Brighton could command a big fee for as Tottenham have taken a keen interest in Jan Paul van Hecke and the former Brighton midfielder said it's a "win-win" scenario for the Seagulls.

Spurs have considerable interest in the Dutch defender and have already seen one bid rejected by Brighton, who are reportedly holding out for close to £70m.

"It's a big club, Spurs," Aspinall said. "It's one of the best stadiums in Europe, probably the best stadium in Europe, and they've underachieved in the last few seasons, but they can win things. It's who you want to play for and if he wants to go then it's a win-win for Brighton.

"It's a good deal and Brighton will go again."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds here

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Zadok Yohanna, Jan Paul van Hecke and Carl Rushworth are all in the transfer mixer.

As the World Cup gets underway, the new episode of Albion Unlimited considers the tournament but also digs into the Seagulls' transfer prospects.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex Brighton reporter

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It's been widely reported that this [club record £20m] bid has come in for Carl Rushworth. Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as being renowned tough negotiators, certainly don't ever comment on anybody going in or out of the club. They are very, very tight-lipped.

We can probably assume that this has happened. One thing that they do do is make sure that the price is right and they never, ever stand in the way of a player who wants to leave.

We have seen this with high-profile players like Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Alexis Mac Allister. So if there was a player who wants to go, the key phrase is if the price is right, then they don't stand in their way. So I think that would be a cause for some sort of optimism for Coventry City fans going forward.

It's important to remember that he has never actually played for Brighton & Hove Albion, they have sent him out on various different loans which is quite common for Brighton.

He's been very, very good on all of them - and of course City fans will know all about that as well. But he has probably never played under [Brighton boss] Fabian Hurzeler so whether he stands in his ideas as a goalkeeper going forward - because they are quite well stacked at the moment - I'd say that probably isn't the case.

I think £20m is a fair price, he's obviously young [24], he's got international experience with the England Under 21s. He is known as a very good all-rounder. When I speak to the squad members and the coaching staff, they feel that he has got all the assets. He's not exceptional at anything but he is very, very good at everything.

He's highly prized. My gut feeling is that he doesn't necessarily feature in Brighton's long-term plans. That £20m figure, they will probably try and eek out a little bit more but if Coventry feel that he is essential for their Premier League season then I think it probably would happen. Brighton won't stand in his way and I think they would want him to progress as well.

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The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Seagulls selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Brighton's World Cup contingent:

• Yasin Ayari (Sweden)

• Maxim de Cuyper (Belgium)

• Diego Gomez (Paraguay)

• Pascal Gross (Germany)

• Ferdi Kadioglu (Turkey)

• Jan Paul van Hecke (Netherlands)

• Bart Verbruggen (Netherlands)

• Mats Wieffer (Netherlands)

Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

Read more about the World Cup squads in numbers

Find out more about how to follow the competition on the BBC

Click here to download your World Cup 2026 wallchart

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Brighton's first signing of the summer Zadok Yohanna says he will "give everything" for the team and wants to win trophies with the club.

The Seagulls have agreed a £21.5m deal with AIK Stockholm to bring the 18-year-old winger to the Amex when the transfer window opens on 15 June.

The Nigerian forward said he is "really happy because I know where I came from and I want to make my family proud".

Yohanna told Brighton's official website: "I will give everything I have for the team and I really want to win trophies.

"I watch the Premier League a lot and I know the teams use young players and Brighton is one of them. They are very good at developing young players."

Brighton have rejected a second bid from Tottenham for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. (Talksport), external

Coventry City have submitted a club record £20m bid for Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth, who helped the Sky Blues win the Championship while on loan there last season. (Talksport), external

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

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We asked for your views on what one thing needs to change at Brighton before the new campaign and why.

Here are some of your comments:

Ken: Bigger, more easily visible screens in the stadium.

Julian: I repeatedly read about lots of unconverted goalscoring opportunities so that suggests we need finishers - strikers/scorers. Danny Welbeck put in a decent shift but there were ups and downs and maybe there's a Joao Pedro-shaped hole still?

Alexander: I personally think we are doing well. We need to buy a few players to give us depth. Somebody like Summerville would give us enough depth to juggle all competitions.

Matthew: Unfortunately for Brighton, they are victims of their own success. Not only have they been plundered of their resources across the board but their biggest rivals have gone and won two trophies in the space of a year. That places a massive amount of expectation on the club from fans to match them, but the club just aren't set up to win. They are still a development centre for the elite. There is a sense that this identity is being challenged now as demand for a trophy increases. Do they stick or twist? Do they need to look at how they recruit, develop and retain players and staff? The cracks are showing. Some big decisions to be made this summer. Bloom cannot be called into question for his commitment to the club but perhaps he should consider a change of leadership, one more intent on establishing a reputation than preserving one.

Alex D: The spine of the team is geriatric. With Milner retired, and Dunk, Gross, and Welbeck all 34+, replacements need to be lined up there, particularly midfield, which currently is very lightweight.

Jake: If we're talking players, a right-back (ideally two). If we're talking squad, change the loan strategy and commit to a year of providing regular football across four competitions for the multitude of potentials we have. Otherwise, maybe a little less entitlement from the fans. Hurzeler has delivered two of the three highest points totals we've had in the Premier League and secured a second season in Europe.