Brighton secure signing of Algeria defender Jaouen Hadjam

Algerian international Jaouen Hadjam has begun a new chapter in his professional career after completing a move from Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 23-year-old defender is now set for a new challenge in English football, bringing an end to his spell in Switzerland.

Hadjam has signed a five-year contract with the Seagulls, which will keep him at the club until June 2031.

The transfer is reportedly worth around €13 million, underlining Brighton’s confidence in the Algerian full-back and their belief that he has the qualities required to make an impact in the Premier League.

Hadjam joins Brighton after an impressive period of development that has seen him steadily progress through different levels of European football.

The defender began his professional career with Paris FC, making his Ligue 2 debut in 2020. His performances quickly attracted attention, and he earned a move to Ligue 1 side FC Nantes in 2023.

At Nantes, Hadjam gained valuable experience at the highest level of French football, continuing his development as a modern full-back capable of contributing both defensively and offensively.

His career then took him outside France in 2024 when he joined BSC Young Boys in the Swiss Super League. The move proved to be another important stage in his development, as he established himself in Swiss football and gained experience in domestic and European competition.

His performances for Young Boys also helped strengthen his international credentials with Algeria, with Hadjam becoming part of the national team’s plans.

Now, his move to Brighton represents arguably the biggest step of his career so far.

The Premier League provides Hadjam with the opportunity to test himself against some of the best players and clubs in European football. His arrival also gives Brighton another option at full-back as the club continues to build a squad capable of competing at a high level in England.

Known for his pace, energy and technical ability, Hadjam offers qualities that can suit the demands of modern Premier League football. His ability to operate on the flank, carry the ball forward and contribute to attacking phases makes him an interesting addition to Brighton’s squad.

Defensively, the Algerian will also be expected to adapt to the intensity and physical demands of English football, where the pace of matches can be significantly different from what he has experienced in France and Switzerland.

For Hadjam, the transfer is the latest milestone in a career that has developed rapidly since his professional debut with Paris FC.

Just six years after making his first-team breakthrough, he has now secured a move to one of England’s established Premier League clubs and signed a contract that could keep him on the south coast until 2031.

The five-year agreement demonstrates Brighton’s long-term commitment to the player and provides Hadjam with the stability needed to continue developing at the highest level.

His journey from Paris FC to Nantes, then Young Boys and now Brighton reflects a steady rise through European football. At just 23, the Algerian international still has considerable room for development, and Brighton will hope he can take another significant step forward during his time in England.

Hadjam will now turn his attention to adapting to his new surroundings, competing for a place in Brighton’s starting XI and proving himself in the Premier League.

For the Seagulls, the €13 million investment represents a significant commitment to a player they believe can develop into an important figure in their squad.

For Hadjam, meanwhile, the move is an opportunity to fulfil another ambition in his rapidly developing career: playing regularly in the Premier League and establishing himself on one of the biggest stages in European football.