Brighton agree deal for Dundalk teen star Vinnie Leonard

BRIGHTON FUTURE: Brighton are to continue their Irish recruitment drive by signing Dundalk defender Vinnie Leonard. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Brighton and Hove Albion are to continue their Irish recruitment drive by signing Dundalk defender Vinnie Leonard for an upfront fee of €400,000.

The centre-back, part of Ireland’s U17 World Cup squad in November, became Dundalk’s youngest debutant and then goalscorer last year at just 16 years, 10 months and 24 days.

Celtic and Crystal Palace had also lodged bids to entice the Co Meath native but he has settled on Brighton, where he’ll eventually join former teammate Seán Keogh in the club’s U21 side.

Keogh’s transfer to the Amex last August banked Dundalk a club record fee but this deal eclipses that.

Significant add-ons for club and international progress form part of the package.

Evan Ferguson, Andy Moran and Eiran Cashin are the other Irish players at Brighton but all three, previously part of the first-team, were sent on loan this season.

Arriving at the Co Louth club from Torro United, Leonard lined out for the Lilywhites from U14 level before breaking into the first-team in 2024.

He signed his first professional contract in December of that year, offering the club protection at a precarious time off the field.

As Leonard doesn’t turn 18 until March, he’ll begin the season at Dundalk.

He was a central cog in their First Division-title winning campaign and will remain a backbone of the side that kicks off life back in the top-flight with a trip to champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday, December 13. 

Brighton could either take him into pre-season in July or allow him see out the season at Dundalk on loan.