Chelsea beaten to ‘exceptional’ star after Brighton complete transfer deadline day deal
Transfer blow for the Blues.
Chelsea have missed the opportunity to sign ‘exceptional’ star Stefanos Tzimas after Brighton completed a transfer deadline day deal on Monday.
A number of Premier League clubs registered an interest in the 19-year-old with West Ham previously leading the race for the Greek star’s signature.
It was then reported Chelsea were attempting to hijack the deal – but they appear to have failed – after Brighton confirmed his arrival on their website.
‘Stefanos is an exceptional young talent,’ Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said.
‘An out-and-out centre-forward with a natural ability to score goals, and we are absolutely delighted to have signed him.’
Tzimas joins Brighton from Bundesliga 2 side FC Nuremburg and has signed a contract with the Seagulls until 2030.
He is set to remain in Germany until the end of the season and will link up with his new teammates in the summer ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
‘He will join up with us in the summer,’ Brighton boss Hurzeler added. ‘We are really looking forward to working with him, and feel he has a very exciting future ahead.’
Tzimas started his career in Greece with PAOK, moving to FC Nuremburg on loan for the 2024-25 season.
The loan move included an option to buy, which Nuremburg activated in the winter transfer window ahead of his switch to Brighton.
Tzimas has been in fine form this term, producing 10 goals across 17 games for FC Nuremburg in the second tier of German football.
He is the youngest goalscorer in PAOK’s entire history and was named one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide by The Guardian in 2023.
He has been capped five times by Greece U21s to date and is waiting to make his senior international debut.
‘We will keep a close eye on his progress and wish him the very best for the second half of the season with Nuremburg,’ Brighton technical director David Weir said.
