Brighton secure Algeria international Jaouen Hadjam in €13m Young Boys move

Brighton have confirmed the signing of Algeria international Jaouen Hadjam from BSC Young Boys, completing a move to the Premier League despite previous reports linking the defender with a transfer to Serie A.

The 23-year-old has agreed a long-term contract with Brighton running for five seasons, through to June 2031. The transfer fee paid by the Premier League club is understood to be €13m, including potential bonuses.

Hadjam brings his spell in Switzerland to an end after making three appearances for Young Boys at the start of the current season. He joined the Berne-based club in January 2024 following earlier spells with Paris FC and FC Nantes.

During his time with Young Boys, Hadjam made 98 appearances and helped the club win the Swiss championship in 2024. His departure is a significant moment for the Swiss side, as he becomes the first Young Boys player in 14 years to move directly to a Premier League club.

The player, who was born in Paris, is listed by Transfermarkt with an estimated market value of €7m. His arrival at Brighton comes despite speculation that he could instead continue his career in Italy.

Brighton’s announcement confirms that the Algeria international will now begin a new chapter in England under a contract that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2031. The transfer also represents a sizeable financial return for Young Boys, with the overall package potentially reaching €13m.

His move comes shortly before Brighton are due to face Chelsea in the second round of the English league season. Chelsea and Brighton will meet in an upcoming Premier League fixture, with betting company 1xBet listing Chelsea as the favourites.

The quoted odds give Chelsea a price of 2.00 for victory, while a draw is priced at 3.75 and a Brighton win at 3.60. Those figures reflect the bookmaker’s assessment of the match rather than the outcome of Hadjam’s transfer, which has now been formally completed.

Hadjam’s career has taken him from Paris FC to FC Nantes and then to Young Boys, where he established himself sufficiently to attract Premier League interest. His move to Brighton marks the latest step in that progression and ends a short but successful period in the Swiss capital.