Brighton owner Tony Bloom believes there is a thrilling future for Irish striker Evan Ferguson in the game.

The young forward has been an impressive emergence into the Albion first team this season.

The 18-year-old is expected to play for the Ireland senior team against France in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

Bloom, per the Sunday World, said: “Evan Ferguson a superb player but not only that, he's got a great manager (Roberto De Zerbi) to take him through to the next level. It can be tough as an 18-year-old to go from nowhere to playing in the Premier League.

“But he has got the temperament and personality to take it in his stride. He's the real deal for Brighton and Hove Albion and he will be the real deal for Ireland.

“As long as Brighton or the Ireland national team don't put too much pressure on him, he will be a really key figure for many, many years to come. We love him at Brighton. He's done amazingly. At his age, to take to Premier League football so well is truly superb.

“We hope that he'll be with us at the Albion for a long time to come."