Brighton contract talk as key player signs long-term contract with the club

Brighton & Hove Albion have extended their contract with Kaoru Mitoma until June 2027.

“It’s fantastic news,” remarked head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Kaoru is our most talented player.”

“Ensuring that a player of Kaoru’s quality will remain with us for the long term is fantastic news,” stated technical director David Weir.

“Kaoru adapted well to the Premier League last season and quickly established himself as one of our most important players.”

“His success also reflects the efforts of the departments that assisted in his recruitment, allowing him to gain valuable experience on loan and eventually becoming a key member of Roberto’s first-team group.”

“I have no doubt that our supporters will be delighted with the news.”

The club said: “Kaoru signed for us in 2021 and spent the 2021-22 season on loan with Royal Union Saint-Gilloise.

“In Belgium, he made 29 appearances in all competitions, being credited with eight goals and four assists.

“Kaoru quickly established himself as a key player for Albion in the following campaign with a series of exciting displays and he scored his first goal in a 3-2 win at Wolves in November 2022.

“He holds the record for most Premier League goals scored in a season by a Japanese player, finishing the 2022-23 campaign with seven goals, one more than the previous record held by Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa.

“In 52 appearances for Albion since his debut in August 2022, he has contributed 13 goals and 12 assists.”

“He was named Japan Pro-Footballers Association (JPFA) Most Valuable Player 2022, and he also won the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award for August 2023.”

“Kaoru has represented his country at the senior level, debuting in November 2021.”

“He has gone on to win 18 caps, including four at the World Cup in Qatar last winter, where he set up Japan’s dramatic winner against Spain in the group stage.”