Jaouen Hadjam set for Brighton transfer after Swiss farewell
Jaouen Hadjam was kept firmly out of the limelight in Switzerland – just as his future seems to be pointing towards the south coast of England.
The Algeria international full-back, strongly expected to join Brighton in a £10 million move from Young Boys, was left on the bench and unused as the Swiss champions beat Vaduz 4-2 in the league on Sunday. For a player who had started Young Boys’ previous matches, it felt like a significant change.
Head coach Gerardo Seoane had already hinted this might happen. During the week he questioned how focused Hadjam could be “when he is on the verge of a potential transfer”, opening the door for a selection call that looked very much like a precaution with a deal looming.
After the final whistle, Hadjam lingered. He spent around 15 minutes signing autographs and posing for photos with supporters. That in itself is nothing new for the former Paris FC youngster, who has built a reputation for taking time with fans. This time, though, the scene was read differently – the body language, the length of the goodbyes. It felt like a farewell.
Hadjam, 23, offers versatility across the back line. He is naturally a left-back but can operate on the right, a profile that fits neatly with how Brighton like their defenders to function. He arrived at Young Boys from Nantes and played his part in securing the 2023-24 Swiss title, adding domestic success to a growing CV that already includes 21 caps for Algeria.
At Brighton, the competition at full-back is already sharp. Ferdi Kadioglu shone at left-back last season, his performances earning player of the year honours while underlining his ability to switch to the right when required. Maxim De Cuyper, a converted winger, is another option on the left, though his early Premier League outings have arguably suggested he carries more threat higher up the pitch.
If Hadjam does complete his move, he will walk into a defensive unit that prizes flexibility and aggression in equal measure. The question now is not whether Brighton have room for another full-back – it’s how quickly an Algerian champion can turn a Swiss goodbye into a Premier League breakthrough.
