Brighton have won the race to sign Amario Cozier-Duberry, who has been described as the ‘next Bukayo Saka’.
Cozier-Duberry left Arsenal this summer after his contract expired, sparking a battle for the 19-year-old’s signature.
2
Brighton announced the winger’s arrival on a four-year contract, beating Newcastle by the margin, while Arsenal were also keen to keep him.
According to The Pitch Prospect, Borussia Dortmund was also interested in signing Cozier-Duberry.
Arsenal had also tried desperately to keep hold of the teenager, who was hailed by Jack Wilshere as one of the top stars of their academy.
“Amario is very exciting and Mikel [Arteta] likes him,” said Wilshere, Arsenal academy coach.
“He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, plays in the same position as him, needs to improve his decision-making like Bukayo did, but he is certainly exciting.”
Brighton reacted quickly in this summer’s transfer window by appointing Fabian Hurzeler as their new head coach, replacing Roberto De Zerbi, who resigned at the end of the season to join Marseille.
The Seagulls broke their transfer record last month when they signed Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle for a fee in excess of £30 million.
Mats Wieffer also joined from Feyenoord this week, while Ibrahim Osman joined from Nordsjälland in a deal agreed earlier this year.
2
Cozier-Duberry is likely to join Brighton’s academy with a view to becoming a part of the first team.
The Londoner had been with Arsenal since 2019 and joined their Hale End academy at the age of 14.
Despite Wilshere’s high praise, he never played for the Gunners, but was called up to the team three times.
Speaking to Arsenal’s website last year, the young player admitted that he idolises Thierry Henry and Arjen Robben.
He said: “I have been an Arsenal fan since I was young and have looked up to players like Thierry Henry, who is one of the greatest players of all time.
“But I also looked up to Arjen Robben, who had a wizard of a left foot and mastered the unstoppable cut-inside move.”