16-year-old Republic of Ireland underage star Evan Ferguson has joined Brighton and Hove Albion.
The striker heads to the Amex from Dalymount Park after coming through the Bohs/St Kevin’s Boys academy.
He made headlines back in 2019 when he became the youngest player in Bohs’ first-team history to make his debut as a 14-year-old, against Derry City.
He recently won the SSE Airtricity U-17 League with Bohs-SKB and scored in the final against Shamrock Rovers just last month.
As Ferguson's mother is English the move is possible despite FIFA transfer rules in the wake of Brexit that state Irish players can only move to the UK from the age of 18.
A statement from the Dublin club on Saturday evening said,
"Bohemians can confirm that Evan Ferguson has transferred to English Premier League side Brighton.
"The striker, who came through St Kevin’s and the Bohs-SKB Academy, became the youngest player to represent the Bohemians first team when he made his debut away to Derry City in September 2019.
"The 16-year-old most recently won the SSE Airtricity U17 League with Bohs-SKB, scoring in the final against Shamrock Rovers last month.
"Son of former Bohemians defender Barry, Evan has represented the Bohs U19s in the Uefa Youth League and Ireland at underage level up to U17."
Bohemians and St Kevin's can confirm that striker Evan Ferguson has transferred to English Premier League side Brighton: https://t.co/ckUeSGzDRv
Best of luck for the rest of your career @Evan_Ferguson9 🔴⚫️🟠 👏 pic.twitter.com/STZ5yM8Vew
— Bohemian FC 🔴⚫ (@bfcdublin) January 9, 2021
Speaking about the move, Bohemians first-team manager Keith Long said,
“Evan has progressed through the Bohs-SKB Academy system, playing in our LOI U15, U17 and U19 teams, and he also became the youngest player to ever play for the Bohemians first team.
“Under the guidance of Karl Lambe, Rob Doran and Alan Caffrey at St Kevin’s, and later with Ger Browne, Jimmy Mowlds and Derek Pender at Bohs-SKB, Evan has developed into one of the country’s brightest prospects.
“Everyone at Bohemians and St Kevin’s wishes Evan the very best of luck with Brighton and we hope to see him representing Ireland at senior international level in the future.”
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