Roma completes loan signing of Evan Ferguson as the Republic of Ireland striker moves from Brighton & Hove Albion to Serie A, seeking a fresh start in Italy with hopes of consistent game time and European football under Roma’s new coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
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Ferguson’s Journey to Rome
Evan Ferguson, the 20-year-old from Meath, will wear the number 11 shirt for Roma, who have an option to buy him at the end of the loan. The former Bohemians striker made 18 senior appearances for Ireland since debuting in 2022, scoring four goals along the way. His progress at Brighton stalled due to recurring injuries, including a six-month spell out after ankle surgery, and a short loan at West Ham last season did not go as planned.
Brighton’s Perspective and Ferguson’s Readiness
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler shared that Ferguson faced a challenging period with injuries over the past season and a half, which limited his consistent playing opportunities. However, Hurzeler confirmed that Ferguson has recovered, returned in great shape, and is eager for regular football. The coach described this move as an exciting chance for Ferguson to play in a strong league and potentially experience European football.
Roma’s Ambitions and Gasperini’s Influence
Roma finished fifth in Serie A last season under Claudio Ranieri and will play in the 2025-26 Europa League group stages. The club has since appointed Gian Piero Gasperini, known for transforming Atalanta into a top-four side and revitalizing strikers like Duvan Zapata and Ademola Lookman, offering Ferguson hope for a productive spell in Italy.
A Warm Welcome in Rome
When Ferguson arrived at Ciampino Airport, around 100 Roma fans came to greet him, showing their excitement for his arrival. Local newspaper Il Romanista featured Ferguson on its front page under the headline ‘The Irishman,’ reflecting the optimism surrounding his signing.
Ferguson’s Place in Irish Football History
Ferguson becomes the first Irish player to represent Roma at the senior level. Meanwhile, Irish U21 player Kevin Zefi is expected to leave Roma this summer, while James Abankwah, another Irish U21 defender, will continue his development on loan at Watford from Udinese. Senior international Festy Ebosele, who was with Udinese, moved to İstanbul Başakşehir after a previous loan to Watford.
Ferguson’s move represents a new chapter, offering him a chance to develop under a coach known for nurturing attacking talent, in a club eager for progress in Serie A and Europe.
