Brighton & Hove Albion have signed striker Evan Ferguson on a new five-year deal.
Ferguson has had a promising breakout season in the Premier League this season, drawing admiring glances from other clubs.
But Brighton, so respected for developing youth prospects in recent years, looks set to continue to shape the 18-year-old.
Ferguson made his Premier League debut last February but has established himself as a first-team regular in 2022-23.
A powerful and athletic forward, Ferguson has made 13 top-flight appearances and scored four goals – eight times in 19 games across all competitions.
Ferguson also made a breakthrough at international level this season, becoming the second-youngest player (18 years, 154 days) to score in his first start for Ireland last month.
Ferguson 28. pic.twitter.com/aqYl3M0Qrt
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) April 25, 2023
Prior to that, Ferguson also became the second-youngest (18 years 76 days) player in Premier League history to score and assist in a match after Michael Owen in 1997 (17 years 364 days) against Everton in January.
The goal against the Toffees also made Ferguson the youngest player to score in consecutive Premier League games since Federico Maqueda in 2009.
Of Ferguson’s new contract, Brighton head coach Roberto 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 team.
“The goal is to help him become one of the best strikers in Europe.”