Ireland international Evan Ferguson has completed a season-long loan move to AS Roma from Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Serie A club securing an option to make the transfer permanent for the promising 20-year-old striker.
Ferguson’s career has been marked by early promise followed by setbacks. After joining Brighton from Dublin’s Bohemians at just 16 years old in 2021, he enjoyed a breakthrough 2022-23 season, scoring 10 goals in 25 appearances and earning his Ireland debut.
However, injuries derailed his progress. A cruciate ligament injury disrupted his 2023-24 campaign, despite a memorable hat-trick against Newcastle United. Struggling for regular starts under Roberto De Zerbi, Ferguson’s fortunes didn’t improve under new Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, leading to a disappointing loan spell at West Ham where he managed just one start in eight goalless appearances.
Roma’s appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as manager offers Ferguson renewed hope. The Italian tactician has a proven track record of revitalizing strikers’ careers, having transformed players like Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel, and Ademola Lookman into prolific scorers during his successful tenure at Atalanta.
The move has generated significant excitement in Rome, with Il Romanista featuring Ferguson on Monday’s front page under the headline ‘The Irishman.’ Roma fans even gathered at Ciampino airport to welcome the striker before his medical was complete.