In Focus: It all Ads up to Simon becoming Brighton's latest star

Simon Adingra looks to be the latest wonderkid to emerge from Brighton's talent factory.

The 21-year-old Ivorian has returned from a productive loan at Union Saint-Gilloise last season and struck twice during the Seagulls' 2-0 pre-season victory over Brentford in the United States.

As he looks to further impress Roberto De Zerbi in tonight's clash with Newcastle, we turn the spotlight on the talented winger.

Another gem

Brighton have garnered a reputation for plucking starlets from relative obscurity and Adingra is another to take an unconventional route to the South Coast.

Graduating through the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, the then 18-year-old joined Danish side Nordsjaelland in 2020 before becoming a first-team regular the following season.

A record of 10 goals in 33 appearances in the 2021-22 campaign was enough for the Seagulls to make their move last summer and he signed a four-year deal at the Amex.

Adingra continued his development last term with Brighton's sister club Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, where he netted an impressive 14 goals as his side narrowly missed out on their first-ever Belgian Pro League title.

The American dream

Simon is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for Brighton but has been given the chance to impress during their pre-season tour in the USA.

The youngster played the second half of Brighton's 4-3 defeat to Chelsea before being handed the opportunity from the start against Brentford.

It was one he grasped with both hands with the Seagulls No24 bagging both goals in a 2-0 victory — exhibiting his ability to beat a man and link up with his team-mates throughout.

It took the one-cap international just 19 minutes to find the net, brilliantly latching onto a long ball before catching Bees keeper Mark Flekken out of his goal with a rasping finish from long range.

The pacey wide man doubled their lead shortly before his 65th-minute withdrawal, sliding home into the bottom corner to round off a flowing move.

In good hands

Breaking through as a Premier League regular is no easy task but he is at a club with a proven track record of nurturing talents to become successful at the top level.

Kaouro Mitoma, Evan Ferguson and Julio Enciso are just three examples of players who have risen to become key men for De Zerbi in the last 12 months alone.

That trio managed a combined 37 goal contributions for the Europa League outfit last season despite none having a Premier League appearance to their name before the campaign started.

De Zerbs a chance

Simon appears well on course to become the latest Seagulls star and his manager has suggested a regular role could be in the offing during the 2023-24 campaign.

After his Brentford brace, the Italian tactician said: "I know the quality of Adingra. He is another big player for us. 

"I think we are building a very strong team with many players in every position on the pitch. 

"We'll play four competitions and we have to be ready to change many players every three days.

"Adingra, like Ferguson and Enciso, is very young. We have other attackers like [Danny] Welbeck, [Adam] Lallana, Mitoma, but we have to have many players because this season will be tough."

While unknown to many right now, do not bet against Adingra quickly becoming a familiar name to Premier League fans once the regular season gets going.