Roma Confirm Loan Signing of Evan Ferguson with €35m Option to Buy

Republic of Ireland international Evan Ferguson will link up with his new Roma teammates today for the first time, following confirmation of his loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Italian side have paid a loan fee believed to be in the region of €3 million to secure Ferguson’s services for the upcoming season, with an option to make the move permanent should the arrangement prove successful.

Reports in the Italian media suggest the proposed permanent transfer fee stands at €35 million, after Brighton lowered their initial valuation of the Meath-born striker from €45 million. Should the transfer be made permanent, Ferguson’s former clubs – St Kevin’s and Bohemians – will be entitled to a share of that sum, though they are not due any portion of the loan fee.

“AS Roma is delighted to announce the signing of Evan Ferguson from Brighton & Hove Albion. The deal is a loan with an option to buy,” the club said in an official statement this morning, following the player’s unveiling. The club also confirmed that Ferguson will wear the No. 11 shirt.

Roma are currently in pre-season training, with several friendly fixtures scheduled – including an away match against Everton – before the Serie A season kicks off next month. The Giallorossi have also qualified automatically for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.

Ferguson was absent from Brighton’s pre-season tour of Spain, with the club having determined that a loan move was the most suitable step for his development at this stage. Speaking earlier this week from the club’s training base in Spain, Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler affirmed that Ferguson remains a key figure in their long-term plans.

“For us, it’s always important that individual players are in an environment where they can develop,” Hürzeler explained. “We decided that a loan was the best option.

“He’s still our player, and he brings real quality. He’s a target man, and I’m confident that with more game time, he’ll return and become an important player for us.”