Watch: Evan Ferguson receives hero's welcome in Rome as Brighton boss confirms loan deal

THAT WAY TO ROME: Brighton and Hove Albion have not ruled out Evan Ferguson returning to the club next year despite loaning the Irish striker to Roma with a €38m purchase option.

Brighton and Hove Albion have not ruled out Evan Ferguson returning to the club next year despite loaning the Irish striker to Roma with a €38m purchase option.

The 20-year-old travelled with his delegation on Sunday by private jet Ciampino Airport, where he was greeted at by droves of excited fans.

🔴 Ecco Evan #Ferguson a Ciampino accolto da un centinaio di tifosi. Domani le visite mediche.

Prestito oneroso da 3 milioni con diritto di riscatto da 38. pic.twitter.com/legnzOfpJ0

— Checco Oddo Casano (@CheccoCasano) July 20, 2025

Ferguson hardly featured for the Seagulls following the arrival of Fabian Hürzeler as manager just over a year ago, gradually reintegrating him following injury before sanctioning a loan to West Ham United in January.

That change of scene didn’t spark a revival for the man from Bettystown in Co Meath.

He struggled for game-time under Graham Potter and despite Brighton recently losing João Pedro to Chelsea, the German manager didn’t view Ferguson as a reliable option to spearhead their attack when the Premier League season begins on August 16 at home to Fulham.

He’s allowed him to join the Serie A giants for the season – believed to be based on a loan fee of €3m – with the option available to make the transfer permanent.

As Ferguson arrived in the Italian capital to complete the formalities of the switch, Hürzeler provided his reasoning behind the decision, talking up the traits which led to a notional price tag of €100m after he’d scored a Premier League hat-trick against Newcastle United in September 2023.

“For us, it is always important that the individual player has an environment where they can develop,” he said.

"We decided the loan was the best option (but) Evan is still a player of us.

"He still brings us quality with him. He is a target player and I am sure when he gets more game-time he will one day be back and be an important player for us.” Time will tell whether that’s doable as the Italian club have factored in first refusal on his future into the package.

Ferguson will work under legendary head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during a pre-season programme that includes friendlies against Aston Villa and Everton in England three days apart in early August.

The league opener for I Giallorossi is against Bologna on August 23.