Brighton announce major deadline day swoop - just over 24 hours before Newcastle United game

Brighton and Hove Albion have announced the deadline day signing of Ansu Fati from La Liga giants Barcelona.

The Seagulls agreed a deal earlier this week to sign 20-year-old sensation on loan for the 2023-24 campaign. Fati lande on the South Coast on Thursday to undergo his medical and finalise his move.

The transfer represents a major coup for Roberto De Zerbi’s side with Fati regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in Europe.

De Zerbi said, “This is a great deal for all of us. I am sure Ansu will help us to reach a new target and we can help him get back at the level he deserves to be.”

Technical director David Weir added, “We are delighted to bring Ansu to the club. He is one of the most highly-rated young players in the world and arrives with an impressive amount of experience both domestically and in European competition, despite his age.

“This season is the biggest in the club’s history and we’re really happy that a player of Ansu’s quality is going to be part of it. We will give him the opportunity to embed himself in the squad and to get used to working with Roberto, but naturally we’re excited to see him in a Brighton shirt.”

After making his debut as a 16-year-old in 2019, Fati put pen to paper on a new contract with Barca two years later, which runs until 2027 and has a buyout clause of £1billion.

He scored seven goals in 36 appearances to help Barca lift the La Liga title last season, however, has fallen down the pecking order.

Fati’s father Bori has been pushing for him to leave and despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, he has opted for Brighton. Spurs held talks over Fati but with their foreign quota already stretched, they have Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson in their sights.

Brighton needed to register Fati with the Premier League by 12pm on Friday in order to have him available to face Newcastle United at the Amex Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 5:30pm).

De Zerbi’s men are hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at home defeat to West Ham United, while Newcastle are looking to do the same after surrendering a 1-0 lead to lose to 10-man Liverpool.