Brighton beat Liverpool in race to sign 16-year-old Irish wonderkid Evan Ferguson from Bohemians after he dazzled playing in friendly with Chelsea aged just 14
- Bohemians manager Keith Long confirmed Evan Ferguson’s Brighton move
- 16-year-old Irish striker had also been linked with Liverpool but will join Seagulls
- He impressed as a 14-year-old against Chelsea in pre-season friendly last year
- Ferguson has scored three goals in three games for Republic of Ireland under-17
Brighton appear to have beaten Liverpool in the race to sign 16-year-old Irish wonderkid Evan Ferguson.
The teenager’s manager at Bohemians, Keith Long, has confirmed he will be moving to the Amex Stadium in the summer after an agreement was put in place last year.
Ferguson had also been linked with a move to Liverpool.
Evan Ferguson, seen playing for Bohemians against Chelsea in a pre-season friendly last year, is set to join Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion
‘He has a deal already done with Brighton. He’ll go in the summer. I don’t think there’s any secret there,’ Long said.
‘That’s on the cards, unless something were to change in the meantime. Maybe Real Madrid might come in for him!’
The Dublin-born forward made a name for himself when he impressed as a 14-year-old in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea in what was Frank Lampard’s managerial debut in July 2019.
Coming off the bench with 23 minutes remaining, Ferguson almost scored a stunning goal after getting the better of Lucas Piazon and Kurt Zouma before playing a part in Eric Molloy’s 88th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw.
Ferguson made his senior debut for Bohemians off the bench in the Irish Premier League fixture against Derry City in September 2019.
And he received a full debut in Monday night’s 2-1 victory away to St Patrick’s Athletic.
He is already a Republic of Ireland under-17 international and has scored three goals in three appearances for them.
Long talked up Ferguson after that performance against Chelsea, saying: ‘Evan has got lots of attention from English clubs, he’s got lots of suitors.
‘He’s coming through St Kevin’s Boys, he’s in the with Bohemians SKB under-15s and is going really well.
‘He’s 14 and he comes off the bench and shows maturity beyond his years – and quality as well. He almost scored… and his clever little stepover for Eric in the build-up to the goal.
‘He’s a big boy. He’s 14 and he looks like a man but he’s not, you can’t get sucked into that.’
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