Brighton and Hove Albion are moving to protect one of their sharper academy assets, with Nehemiah Oriola reportedly set to sign a new long-term contract.
According to Ryan Adsett, citing The Athletic, the 19-year-old winger is expected to agree terms until 2029, with the Seagulls also holding an option for a further year. The update matters because Oriola is understood to be staying around Brighton’s first-team picture for the opening part of 2026/27 rather than being pushed straight into a loan.
Fabian Hurzeler Keeps Academy Route Open
Oriola has given Brighton a proper case to manage carefully. FotMob records him with eight goals, six assists and 1,789 minutes in Premier League 2 last season, while his profile has already stretched beyond academy football after a Premier League debut in the 3-0 win over Leeds United.
That makes this more than a routine youth contract. Brighton have just lost Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham in a major defensive sale, and their model depends on locking down emerging assets before external interest becomes expensive noise.
Oriola’s route is also relevant after the under-21s were drawn into another demanding EFL Trophy group. If Hurzeler wants a winger who can attack space, carry off the left and absorb senior minutes, Brighton now appear close to giving themselves time to make that call properly.
