2019 Golden Eaglets invitee Offiah makes his home debut for Brighton in loss to Man City

2019 Golden Eaglets invitee Odeluga Offiah is back playing for Brighton & Hove again after an unsuccessful loan spell at Heart of Midlothian FC where he spent the first half of last season.

The talented defender encountered medical challenges during his time with Hearts, prompting the Seagulls to bring him back from the Scottish Premiership club.

Though Offiah had not made a first team appearance for Brighton this term before the visit of Manchester City, he was not lacking much fitness.

He has been maintaining his fitness by training with the first team and representing the development squad in the Premier League 2 since his return to the Seagulls.

With Brighton & Hove trailing 3-0 after Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden's goals, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi brought on Ofiah to shore up the defence, with Joël Veltman making way before the second half started. 

It was his first appearance in 343 days for the first team of Brighton, since May 18, 2023 when he played for twenty one minutes against Newcastle United.

The game against the Citizens held at the American Express Stadium was Offiah's home debut as his five previous appearances came in away matches at Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Brom, Cardiff City and Forest Green Rovers. 

Offiah helped turn things around from a defensive perspective as Brighton conceded just one goal in the second half, in the 62nd minute, when Julian Alvarez fired into an empty net after Kyle Walker managed to tee up the Argentine World Cup winner.

The Nigerian has now made six appearances for Brighton's first team since his senior debut against Cardiff City in August 2021.

Offiah signed a new contract with Brighton in August before heading to Hearts on loan. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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