Evan Ferguson has moved to West Ham United on a six-month loan deal, where he will reunite with his former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter.
Recurring ankle problems have restricted the Republic of Ireland striker to just two Premier League starts this season under Brighton’s young coach Fabian Hurzeler. When fit, however, the German has preferred Danny Welbeck, Georginio Ruttner and Joao Pedro over Ferguson in the Seagulls' attack.
“Evan has had a frustrating 12 months with injuries and for him to get back to the level he’s capable of and to continue his development, he really needs to be playing regularly,” said Hurzeler. “This loan gives him that opportunity, and under a manager he knows well. We are looking forward to watching Evan’s progress over the next few months, and we wish him well.”
On Saturday, Ferguson returned from a six week lay-off to play 17 minutes in Brighton’s 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. That could be his last game for the club, which he joined from Bohemians in 2021, as they have also completed the €24 million signing of Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas from Nuremberg.
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“Stefanos is an exceptional young talent, an out-and-out centre-forward with a natural ability to score goals,” said Hurzeler. “He will join up with us this summer, ahead of next season.”
Monday’s London derby between West Ham and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge came too soon for Ferguson’s debut, although the 20-year-old should feature against Nathan Collins’ Brentford this weekend as Potter has an injury crisis with German striker Niclas Füllkrug and Jamaica’s Michail Antonio currently unavailable.
“Seeing [London] stadium and being here today, I’ve got a very good feeling,” said Ferguson. “I can see and know how big West Ham United is. It was a big opportunity for me to come here. I know the gaffer well and look forward to working under him again.
“I want to come in and do my best for the club, score goals, and see where we get to.”
Under contract with Brighton until 2029, West Ham will pay the Ireland international’s salary, a loan fee and add-ons until June.
Potter played a key roll in Ferguson’s first season as a professional before two seasons under Roberto De Zerbi’s guidance saw his value soar to an estimated £100 million after a hat-trick against Newcastle in September 2023. Transfermarkt.com currently puts his worth at €40 million.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring Evan in on loan until the end of the season,” said Potter. “He’s a player we obviously know very well, so I’m grateful to the board for bringing him in.
“He’s got plenty of quality attributes as a striker that we believe will benefit the group over the course of the coming months. We’re excited to integrate him into the squad and see him in action in the weeks to come.”
Brighton also signed Ireland under-21 defender Eiran Cashin on a five-and-a-half year deal.
Meanwhile, John Egan is set to join Hull City from Burnley. The 32-year-old defender missed most of last year with an Achilles tendon injury before being released by Sheffield United, where he made more than 200 appearances.
Restricted to just one EFL Championship start this season as Burnley manager Scott Parker prefers the younger centre-back pairing of Maxime Estève and CJ Egan-Riley, a reported fee of €260,000 should take Egan to the relegation strugglers. Hull are controlled by former Shelbourne owner Acun ılıcalı.
The former Ireland captain’s last of 36 caps came in the 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in October 2023.
And Leicester City have rebuffed a €12 million offer from Sunderland to buy Kasey McAteer following a loan move until the end of this season. The initial deal included an obligation to buy the 23-year-old for €9.6 million with add-ons increasing the fee over time.
McAteer, a left or right winger, has only made four starts in the Premier League but Sunderland could immediately utilise his pace in their push for promotion from the Championship. They are currently fourth in the table, eight points behind leaders Leeds.
Born in Northampton, McAteer broke into Heimir Hallgrímsson’s Ireland squad last year, winning four caps off the bench against England and Greece.
Gavin Bazunu hopes to accelerate his return from Achilles surgery with a loan move to Belgian side Standard Liège. The Ireland goalkeeper needs game time as Southampton, the Premier League bottom club, are currently starting England international Aaron Ramsdale with Alex McCarthy in reserve.
The Liége sporting director is Donegal native Fergal Harkin, who previously worked with Bazunu at Manchester City while Irish internationals Amber Barrett, Claire O’Riordan and Aoife Colvill are part of the women’s squad.
