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Evan Ferguson

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Evan Ferguson
Personal information
Full name Evan Joe Ferguson[1]
Date of birth (2004-10-19) 19 October 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Bettystown, Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Brighton & Hove Albion
Number 28
Youth career
St Kevin's Boys
Bohemians
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Bohemians 3 (0)
2021– Brighton & Hove Albion 11 (3)
International career‡
2018 Republic of Ireland U15 4 (2)
2019–2020 Republic of Ireland U17 3 (3)
2021–2022 Republic of Ireland U21 10 (1)
2022– Republic of Ireland 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:46, 15 March 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:33, 22 March 2023 (UTC)

Evan Joe Ferguson (born 19 October 2004) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Club career

Early life

A native of Bettystown, County Meath, Ferguson is son of former professional footballer Barry Ferguson who played for Coventry City, Colchester United, Hartlepool United, Northampton Town, Longford Town, Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Sporting Fingal during his playing career.[3] His mother is of English descent.[4] He grew up supporting Manchester United.[5]

Ferguson began playing with well renowned Dublin schoolboy club St Kevin's Boys, before moving on to the youth section of League of Ireland club Bohemians, where he would play in the National Underage Leagues.[6] In December 2020, he scored in his last game at underage level for the club as his side won the League of Ireland U17 Division, beating rivals Shamrock Rovers 2–0 in the final.[7][8]

Bohemians

Ferguson made his debut in senior football on 11 July 2019: a 1–1 draw with Chelsea in a friendly at Dalymount Park, aged just 14 at the time which made him the club's youngest ever player at senior level.[9][3] His competitive debut in senior football came on 20 September 2019, replacing Luke Wade-Slater late on against Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.[10][11] Ferguson's first goals at senior level came on 28 January 2020, scoring two goals in a 4–2 pre-season friendly win over Drogheda United.[12] He would go on to make four competitive appearances in total over his two seasons at the club.[13]

Brighton & Hove Albion

In January 2021, he signed for the academy of Brighton & Hove Albion,[14][15] who beat fellow Premier League club Liverpool to his signature.[16] On 24 August 2021, he made his first team debut, replacing Enock Mwepu in the 81st minute of a 2–0 win away against Championship side Cardiff City in the EFL Cup second round.[17][18] On 6 September, he was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for August.[19] He scored his first ever professional goal, scoring Brighton under-23s equaliser in an eventual 2–1 away win at League Two side Northampton in the EFL Trophy on 2 November.[20] Ferguson won his club's goal of the month competition for November 2021 for his goal against Everton U23s at Goodison Park.[21] His first involvement in a matchday squad in the Premier League came on 15 December 2021, when he was an unused substitute in the home defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[22] Ferguson made a second appearance of the season for the senior side on 8 January 2022, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute where he assisted Jakub Moder's equaliser in the eventual 2–1 – after extra-time — away victory over West Bromwich Albion of the Championship in the FA Cup third round.[23] Four weeks later, Ferguson made another substitute appearance again coming in the FA Cup, this time away at Tottenham Hotspur on 5 February, in a 3–1 defeat for the Seagulls.[24] On 19 February 2022, Ferguson made his Premier League debut for Brighton, coming on as a substitute in the 3–0 home loss against bottom side Burnley.[25]

On 24 August 2022, Ferguson set up Deniz Undav's first ever Brighton goal. He later scored his first Albion goal himself, set up by fellow academy player Cameron Peupion, in the 90+4th minute of the 3–0 away win over League One side Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup second round.[26] On 19 October 2022, on his 18th birthday, Ferguson signed his first long-term professional contract at Brighton keeping him at the club until 2026.[27] On 31 December, in the 4–2 home loss against Arsenal, he made his third Premier League appearance from the bench for the Seagulls where he scored his first career league goal. At 18 years old he became both Ireland and Brighton's youngest ever Premier League goalscorer.[28] Three days later on 3 January 2023, Ferguson started his first Premier League match, scoring again in the 4–1 away victory over Everton. He went on to assist Solly March's goal.[29] On 21 January, 2023, Ferguson came on as a substitute for Brighton in the 66th minute of their away game against Leicester City, and netted his third PL goal, a header in the 88th minute from a Pervis Estupinian cross, to make it 2–2 and grab a vital point for the Seagulls.[30] Ferguson scored the only goal of the game on 28 February, sending Brighton through to the FA Cup quarter-finals after the away win at Stoke City, with this goal being his first ever goal in the competition.[31] In the next round, the quarter-final, he scored his first career brace, scoring the second and third goals and having one ruled out in the 5–0 home win over League Two side Grimsby Town on 19 March.[32]

International career

Ferguson has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-17 & under-21 level. On 27 August 2021, he was called up alongside Brighton & Hove Albion teammate Andrew Moran to the Republic of Ireland U21 for the first time, for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina & Luxembourg.[33] He made his U21 debut in a 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.[34]

Ferguson was called up to the senior squad for the first time in November 2022, for friendlies against Norway and Malta, with the 18-year-old describing that he was "absolutely buzzing" with being selected.[35] He made his debut for The Boys in Green against Norway on 17 November, coming on as a 89th minute substitute for goalscorer Alan Browne in the 2–1 home defeat.[36] Ferguson made his first start for Ireland on 22 March 2023, against Latvia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in a friendly. He scored Ireland's second goal of the game on 17 minutes, from a knockback by Michael Obafemi. Ireland won the game 3–2, with Ferguson being replaced by Troy Parrott after 73 minutes.[37]

Career statistics

As of match played 19 March 2023[38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bohemians 2019 LOI Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2020 LOI Premier Division 2 0 1 0 — — 3 0
Total 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 2021–22 Premier League 1 0 2 0 1 0 — 4 0
2022–23 Premier League 10 3 4 3 2 1 — 16 7
Total 11 3 6 3 3 1 — 20 7
Brighton & Hove Albion U23 2021–22 — — — 2[c] 1 2 1
2022–23 — — — 3[c] 1 3 1
Total — — — 5 2 5 2
Career total 14 3 7 3 3 1 5 2 29 9
  1. ^ Includes FAI Cup, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes League of Ireland Cup, EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy

International

As of match played 22 March 2023[39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2022 2 0
2023 1 1
Total 3 1
Scores and results list the Republic of Ireland's goal tally first.[39]
List of international goals scored by Evan Ferguson
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 22 March 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland  Latvia 2–0 3–2 Friendly

References

  1. ^ "2022/23 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  2. ^ Naylor, Andy. "Meet Evan Ferguson – the teen who may have saved Brighton a fortune". The Athletic. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Meath teenager heading for Brighton".
  4. ^ Rowan, Paul. "Could Evan Ferguson go the same way as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish?". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  5. ^ https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2443524/ferguson-i-grew-up-watching-welbeck
  6. ^ "'Division, in-fighting, backstabbing - soccer in Ireland is absolutely plagued by that'".
  7. ^ "Bohemians see off Shamrock Rovers to claim U17 National League crown". 21 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Meath teenager Evan Ferguson makes move to Brighton".
  9. ^ "Bohemians 14-year-old Evan Ferguson stars against Chelsea". The Irish Times.
  10. ^ McLaughlin, Kevin (20 September 2019). "Evan Ferguson, 14, makes Bohs debut in Derry stalemate".
  11. ^ "Bohemians 'a little bit shocked by the negative reaction' to senior debut for 14-year-old Evan Ferguson".
  12. ^ "Evan Almighty: Bettystown boy downs Drogs with two goal second-half salvo". 28 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Republic of Ireland - E. Ferguson - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com.
  14. ^ "Bohs' precocious teenage striker Evan Ferguson joins Brighton".
  15. ^ "Evan Ferguson completes Premier League move to Brighton & Hove Albion".
  16. ^ "Liverpool pipped to the signing of 16-year-old Irish wonder-kid". 11 November 2020.
  17. ^ "Teenage Irish duo make Brighton first-team debuts and O'Brien scores Sunderland hat-trick".
  18. ^ "Evan Ferguson and Andrew Moran handed senior debuts for Brighton and Hove Albion". 24 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Ferguson shortlisted for PL2 Player of the Month". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  20. ^ "Tolaj keeps Albion's Trophy hopes alive". Brighton & Hove Albion. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  21. ^ Donnelly, David (7 December 2021). "WATCH - Teen Evan Ferguson wins Brighton goal of the month for Everton rocket". DublinLive.
  22. ^ Donnelly, David (15 December 2021). "17-year-old ex-Bohs prodigy Ferguson named on the bench for Brighton". DublinLive.
  23. ^ "West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Neal Maupay hits extra-time winner - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Tottenham 3-1 Brighton: Harry Kane praises 'brilliant' Antonio Conte as Spurs progress in FA Cup - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Brighton 0-3 Burnley: Weghorst inspires Clarets to first win since October - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  26. ^ "Denis Undav opens his goal account as Brighton's youngsters cash in". The Guardian. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Brighton: Ferguson 'buzzing' after sealing new deal at Albion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Brave Albion beaten by the leaders". Brighton & Hove Albion. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Awesome Albion hit four to start the year in style". Brighton & Hove Albion. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Leicester 2-2 Brighton: Foxes end four-game losing run with battling draw". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  31. ^ "A cold Tuesday night at Stoke? Completed it". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  32. ^ "Wembley next as Albion cruise into FA Cup semi-finals". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  33. ^ "U21 | Jim Crawford names squad for Bosnia and Luxembourg qualifiers | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  34. ^ "REPORT | Bosnia U21 0-2 Ireland U21 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  35. ^ "It's Fergie's time, as young striker called up by Ireland". Brighton & Hove Albion. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Republic of Ireland 1-2 Norway: Visitors strike late to snatch friendly win". BBC Sport. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  37. ^ Leahy, Ed (22 March 2023). "Chiedozie Ogbene secures hard-fought Ireland win against Latvia as Evan Ferguson opens his account". RTE Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  38. ^ "E. Ferguson". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Evan Ferguson". National Football Teams. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
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