Brighton Join Huddersfield Town In Race For Nigeria's Top Defender

Published: May 22, 2018

Brighton & Hove have been linked with a summer move for highly-rated Nigeria international defender Leon Balogun, according to reports.

Kwese ESPN has reported that Brighton boss Chris Hughton is eager to strengthen his squad after securing survival this season in their first campaign in the Premier League and he has set up a deal for Balogun.

The Seagulls are in the market for a central defender following the departure of Uwe Hunemeier to his former club SC Paderborn.

Brighton face competition from Huddersfield Town for the signature of Balogun and his suitors will definitely increase as he is set to represent Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup, subject to proving his fitness at a training camp.

The 29-year-old did not figure for Mainz in the tail-end of the season due to a rib injury and was lacking match fitness by the time he recovered from the ailment.

Since turning professional, the Super Eagles star has never commanded a transfer fee when switching clubs, joining Türkiyemspor, Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Darmstadt 98 and Mainz as a free agent.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel