Brighton reach agreement to sign Algeria defender Jaouen Hadjam from Young Boys

Brighton have reached an agreement with Young Boys to sign Algeria defender Jaouen Hadjam this summer, according to Foot Mercato.

The proposed transfer is understood to be in its final stages, with only the last details still to be settled. Hadjam was named among the substitutes for Young Boys’ match against Sion on Sunday, amid reports linking him with a move away from the Swiss club.

The 22-year-old had also attracted interest from Porto during the summer transfer window. The Portuguese club previously tried to sign Hadjam during the last winter transfer window, but their attempt was unsuccessful.

Besiktas were another club to show interest in the defender. The Turkish side reportedly made an offer worth 3m euros, but Young Boys considered that figure insufficient and demanded 5m euros for the player.

Hadjam had also been linked with a move to Hull City, who have recently been promoted to the Premier League. However, Brighton now appear to have moved ahead of the other interested clubs by agreeing a deal with Young Boys.

The defender spent the 2023-24 season as a team-mate of Mostafa Mohamed at Nantes. Hadjam began his career with Paris before progressing through France’s youth international teams.

He later chose to represent Algeria at senior level. Hadjam made his international debut for Algeria in 2023 and has since won 21 caps.

Brighton’s agreement with Young Boys would represent the latest step in a career that has seen Hadjam attract interest from clubs in several European leagues. Porto’s unsuccessful approach in January was followed by Besiktas’ 3m-euro offer and reported interest from Hull City.

Young Boys’ valuation of the player was set at 5m euros, while the report from Foot Mercato indicates that Brighton have now reached an agreement with the Swiss club. The transfer is expected to be completed once the final arrangements are concluded.

Hadjam’s omission from Young Boys’ starting line-up against Sion on Sunday came as the transfer talks advanced. He remained on the bench for that match, with his future increasingly focused on a possible move to England.

The Algeria international’s route to the senior national team began with appearances for France at different age-group levels. He subsequently changed his international allegiance and started his career with Algeria in 2023.

His potential move to Brighton would follow previous interest from Porto, Besiktas and Hull City, but Brighton are now the club closest to securing his signature.