Brighton & Hove Albion announce that striker Evan Ferguson has signed a new long-term contract until the summer of 2028.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign under the tutelage of head coach Roberto De Zerbi, recording eight goals and three assists in 19 games across all competitions.

Ferguson joined the Seagulls from Bohemians two years ago and made just four senior appearances last season, including his debut in a EFL Cup win over Cardiff City in August 2021.

The teenager began the 2022-23 campaign with Brighton's Under-21s team, netting five goals in six Premier League 2 appearances, but since the arrival of De Zerbi in September last year, the striker has developed in a key player for the senior side and has played a prominent role in their success in both the Premier League and FA Cup.

Ferguson scored his first top-flight goal against league leaders Arsenal in December, while he also found the net three times in four FA Cup appearances en route to the semi-finals, although he missed the penalty shootout defeat to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday through injury.

Man United are said to have been one of a number of top European clubs who have been alerted by Ferguson's development at Brighton this season, with the Red Devils having allegedly sent scouts to watch the Republic of Ireland international in action.

The likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in Ferguson, but the striker has put an end to rumours about his future by signing a new five-year deal until 2028.

Speaking to Brighton's official website on Ferguson's new deal, De Zerbi said: "Evan's contract extension is great news. He trains and plays like a senior player with many years of experience and has become an important member of the squad.

"The aim is to help him become one of the strongest strikers in Europe."

Before the official announcement, De Zerbi spoke about Ferguson at a pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to Nottingham Forest, adding: "Evan Ferguson is very important for us, and he can keep improving a lot.

"He's still young, he's still just 18 - we can't forget that. He has been playing very well and we missed him on Sunday, he has different qualities."

Ferguson has become the fifth Brighton player to extend his contract at the Amex Stadium since the turn of the year after Solly March, Adam Lallana, Moises Caicedo and Pascal Gross.

The striker is a major doubt for Wednesday's trip to Nottingham Forest due to an ankle injury, but Danny Welbeck is fit to feature for Brighton who will endeavour to climb from eighth place in the Premier League table and keep their European hopes alive. body check tags ::