Lars Dendoncker (Image credit: Google)
According to Daily Mail, Brighton and Hove Albion have completed the signing of Lars Dendoncker on a free transfer ahead of next season.
As per the sources, the 19-year-old has agreed to a two-year contract that would keep him at the club until the end of the 2022 campaign. Earlier last month, Sussex Live reported that clubs like Wolves, Inter Milan, Celtic and As Roma were among several clubs interested in the Belgian U19 international.
Born in Passendale, Belgium, Lars is the brother of Wolves star Leander Dendoncker. He started his journey with Club Brugge’s youth system and was promoted to the U17 squad in July 2017. A year later, he went on to make his debut for the U19 side and then played for the club’s reserve squad.
The centre-back has also represented Belgium at various age-group levels from U15 to U19 and also played a key role taking the U17 side to the European Championship semifinals in 2017, which they eventually lost 2-1 to Italy.
The report also suggests that Dendoncker would join the Seagulls’ U23 squad. The youngster has shown immense potential with Club Brugge’s youth side and would definitely bring quality to the AMEX Stadium. And there is no doubt of his potential as several top European clubs were interested in signing him, as mentioned earlier.
Brighton’s U23 squad finished 3rd in the Premier League 2 table before the season ended prematurely, 4 points behind Leicester U23.
However, they don’t have enough options at the back. Warren O’Hara and Haydon Roberts were the two regular starters throughout the campaign. Kipras Kazukolovas and Antef Tsoungui were promoted form the U18 side recently and haven’t yet established themselves.
While they have four centre-backs, their numbers could be reduced next season as Roberts has already been with the first team this season. He made his debut for Brighton in the EFL Cup third-round 2-1 loss to Aston Villa back in September and could possibly train with them next season.
Thus, signing Dendoncker is a right move by Brighton. He has been in good nick this season, featuring in 9 games. He also earned the captain’s armband on several occasions and his presence would be a huge boost to the squad.
At 19, he has a long way to go in his career, and moving to England was the best decision he could make to improve his game. And if he is able to continue with the fine form, he could go to represent Brighton in the future.
