Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with SSC Farul to sign Romanian youngster Adrian Mazilu.
In January 2024, the 17-year-old winger will formally join the Seagulls, pending all regulatory approvals.
Speaking to the club’s official website, technical director David Weir said: “Adrian is a player we have been watching for a while, and we are now looking forward to him joining us next year.
“We have reached an agreement with Constanta, and we will watch his progress through until January and then decide on his next steps.”
During the second part of the previous campaign, Mazilu had a breakout year with SSC Farul, scoring seven goals in 14 starts across all competitions as the Marinarii won their first-ever top division championship.
The 6-feet-1-inch winger, who is now under Gheorghe Hagi’s management at SSC Farul, recently participated for 70 minutes in the team’s 1-0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying match.
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Mazilu has played for Romania at every age group of the youth teams, from Under-15 to Under-21, and most recently represented his nation at the European Under-21 Championships this summer.
According to reports, Brighton defeated Serie A rivals Roma, Fiorentina, and Bologna to recruit Mazilu, who has been predicted by Romanian legend and former Tottenham Hotspur forward Gheorghe Popescu to develop into a top player.
Speaking to reporters via ProSport, Popescu said: “I would like his path to be an upward one, to continue the good path, he also has incredible physical qualities, an incredible sense of goal! He has what it takes to be a great striker.
“It is the profile of a big team player, an attacking team. He has speed, he has physicality, he has a sense of goal, he has the necessary ingredients to become a top player.”
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has made four signings so far this summer, with Joao Pedro, Bart Verbruggen, James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud all joining the club on permanent deals.
