Evan Ferguson’s Loan Move to AS Roma
Evan Ferguson, a forward for Brighton & Hove Albion, is set to depart for Italy as he prepares for a loan transfer to AS Roma. This development follows reports from July 9 indicating that the Serie A club was pursuing the young striker.
Challenges at Brighton
The 20-year-old spent a challenging second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at West Ham United, where he made a mere eight appearances without finding the net. At Brighton, Ferguson managed only one goal before the loan move, failing to establish himself under manager Fabian Hurzeler, which ultimately led to his January transition back to the coaching hands of Graham Potter—who originally introduced him into senior football at Brighton when he was just 17.
Ferguson joined Brighton from the Irish club Bohemians in 2021, showcasing his potential with an impressive tally of eight goals and assists across 19 Premier League matches during the standout 2022-23 season. However, his subsequent campaign was marred by injuries, resulting in a lengthy scoreless streak that lasted almost a year, from November 2023 to October 2024.
Career Prospects and International Experience
Once valued at around £100 million by his current club, Ferguson committed to a long-term deal until 2029 in November 2023, amidst interest from major clubs like Manchester United. He made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in November 2022 against Norway, accumulating 20 caps and scoring five goals.
Strategic Move to AS Roma
The need for a new striker at Roma has arisen due to Tammy Abraham’s recent loan move to Besiktas, which could become permanent next summer under specific conditions. For Ferguson, a temporary switch to a prestigious club like Roma is a strategic step toward reigniting his career.
While his earlier loan to West Ham—in hopes of gaining more playtime and building confidence—did not yield the expected results, with only one start among his eight appearances, it highlights the difficulties he has faced in maintaining a starting position at Brighton. Since his impactful debut season, Ferguson’s presence has diminished, having scored only twice in his last 39 outings for Brighton across all competitions after November 2023, without starting two consecutive matches since that time.
Despite Joao Pedro’s exit to Chelsea, Ferguson’s pathway to regular play has become more complicated, with new additions such as Greek forwards Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas joining the squad. Though Brighton remains hopeful about Ferguson’s potential revival, his forthcoming stint in Italy will be crucial in restoring both his confidence and market value as a player once touted as a £90 million prospect.
