Ferguson completes loan switch to Roma

Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson has completed his loan move to Serie A giants Roma from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 20-year-old Meath man will wear the number 11 shirt for the Italians, who have also an option to buy.

Ferguson had scored four goals in 18 senior appearances for his country since his debut in 2022.

The former Bohemians forward's club career had stalled at the Seagulls after a series of injuries, including six months out after ankle surgery last year, with a short spell at West Ham in the second half of last season falling disappointingly flat.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: "Evan had a challenging period across the past season and a half, and it has been one disrupted by niggling injury issues, which hasn't allowed him a run of games.

"He is over those injuries and has come back in great shape. Now he really wants to play regularly. This is an exciting opportunity in a strong league and with the prospect of European football."

Roma finished fifth in the league last season under Claudio Ranieri, who was subsequently replaced by former Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini on a three-year contract. They will play in the group stages of the 2025-26 Europa League.

Around one hundred fans showed up at Rome's Ciampino Airport to welcome Ferguson when he arrived in the city on Sunday.

Gasperini previously transformed Atalanta from relegation contenders into a top-four Serie A side — while also rejuvenating the careers of numerous players.

His record of turning inconsistent strikers - including Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel, Ademola Lookman and Gianluca Scamacca - into prolific scorers offers real hope for Ferguson as he seeks a fresh start in the Italian capital.

There has certainly been plenty of optimism in Rome around Ferguson's arrival, with Monday's Il Romanista newspaper featuring the striker on the front page alongside the headline 'The Irishman'.

Ferguson will become the first Irish player to represent the three-time Italian champions at senior level.

Irish Under 21 international Kevin Zefi is expected to leave the club this summer, having played for Roma's U20 side.

Another Ireland U21 defender, James Abankwah, has played ten times for Serie A rivals Udinese since joining from St Patrick's Athletic in 2022.

He will spend next season on loan at Watford, having done the same for the second half of last season.

Senior Ireland international Festy Ebosele (22) was also on Udinese's books but joined İstanbul Başakşehir in January after his own loan to Watford last season.

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