Ferguson signs new deal at Brighton until 2029

Irish striker Evan Ferguson has signed a new six-year contract with Brighton.

Ferguson, 19, joined the Seagulls from boyhood club Bohemians in January 2021 and has since netted 15 goals in 43 appearances on the South Coast.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: "Evan deserves this new contract and he has a very big future ahead of him."

Technical director David Weir added: "Evan is a brilliant young talent and we are delighted for him.

"He's shown his ability at club and international level after breaking into the team at the start of the year and we are looking forward to working with him and watching his continued progress."

Ferguson was handed his debut for the Seagulls against Cardiff in the Carabao Cup in August 2021 before making his Premier League bow at home to Burnley in February 2022.

His first goal in the English top flight followed against Arsenal on New Year's Eve.

Brighton's centre forward has continued his promising form this season, netting his first hat-trick for the Amex outfit against Newcastle in September.

Speaking after that performance against the Magpies, De Zerbi said of his young talent: "His improvement is important for him, for us, for his career because he's working to complete his qualities, not only score, because he can become big, big, big.

"His qualities are enough to become a great player, one of the top scorers in Europe. He's [born in] 2004. I don't know how many young players like Evan score these goals in their careers."

De Zerbi will hope to have Ferguson at his disposal for Sunday's game against Sheffield United, following an impressive 2-0 victory at Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday night.

His No28 came off the bench in the win in Amsterdam and is awaiting his first goal in European competition.

But the teenager has struck three times in eight international appearances.