Brighton & Hove Albion’s young striker Evan Ferguson has officially joined Serie A giants AS Roma on a season-long loan, with an option to buy included in the deal. The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who has struggled for form and game time in recent seasons, will look to reignite his promising career in the Italian capital. The transfer, confirmed on Wednesday, marks a new chapter for the highly-rated forward, who becomes the first Irish player to don the Giallorossi shirt.
Ferguson’s journey to Roma has been one of high expectations tempered by challenges. Bursting onto the Premier League scene as a teenager, the Bettystown-born striker made headlines in the 2022-23 season, scoring six goals in each of his first two campaigns with Brighton and earning comparisons to a young Alan Shearer after a hat-trick against Newcastle. However, injuries, including a six-month lay-off due to an ankle problem, and a dip in form saw him fall down the pecking order at Brighton under head coach Fabian Hurzeler. A loan spell at West Ham United in the second half of the 2024-25 season proved underwhelming, with Ferguson making just eight appearances and failing to score. Despite these setbacks, Roma see the 20-year-old as a player with immense potential to fill the void left by Tammy Abraham, who moved to Besiktas on loan.
Roma’s statement on the transfer was filled with optimism: “AS Roma are delighted to announce the signing of Evan Ferguson from Brighton & Hove Albion. Ferguson will join Roma on loan with an option to buy. Born in Bettystown on 19 October 2004, Ferguson is the first ever Irish player to join Roma.” The club highlighted his international pedigree, noting his debut for Ireland in November 2022 and his four goals in 18 appearances for the national team. Ferguson, who has chosen the number 11 shirt, was greeted with a hero’s welcome by Roma fans upon arriving in Italy for his medical, a testament to the excitement surrounding his move.
Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler, while acknowledging the loan move, expressed confidence in Ferguson’s future. “For us, it is always important the individual players have an environment where they can develop,” Hurzeler told reporters. “We decided the loan was the best option. He is still a player of ours, and we believe he can come back stronger.” The option-to-buy clause, reportedly set at around €40 million (£34.7 million), gives Roma the chance to secure Ferguson permanently if he impresses in Serie A.
The transfer negotiations were not without hurdles. Brighton initially valued Ferguson, who signed a six-year contract in 2023, at around €45 million, while Roma pushed for a lower fee, eventually settling on a loan with an option to buy for €38 million including add-ons. The Giallorossi also explored other attacking options, such as Lecce’s Nikola Krstović, but opted for Ferguson as a cost-effective solution while focusing investments on midfield and wing-back reinforcements.
For Ferguson, the move to Roma represents a fresh start under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who is known for developing young talent. Roma’s interest in Ferguson was further fueled by their ambition to bolster their squad, with talks ongoing for Brighton’s Matt O’Riley as part of a potential double swoop. The Serie A side hopes Ferguson’s physicality and goal-scoring instincts will translate to Italian football, where he will compete for a starting spot in a competitive attacking lineup.
Ferguson’s departure from Brighton, where he made 103 appearances and scored 21 goals across all competitions, is the latest in a series of changes for the Seagulls, who also saw Joao Pedro join Chelsea this summer. For the young Irishman, the Stadio Olimpico offers a chance to rediscover the form that once saw him valued at £100 million and hailed as one of Europe’s brightest prospects.