Brighton have reached an agreement to acquire Sunderland's young forward, Tommy Watson, following the current season. The club had shown interest in the 18-year-old during the last two transfer windows but couldn't finalise a deal. On Tuesday, Brighton confirmed that Watson will join them in July for a fee reportedly up to £10 million.
Watson has made only 17 appearances for Sunderland's first team. He will continue playing for Regis Le Bris' squad until the end of the 2024-25 season. Afterward, he will move to Brighton on a four-year contract, with an option for a fifth year.

David Weir, Brighton's technical director, expressed enthusiasm about Watson's potential. "Tommy is an exciting young talent who we have been tracking for a significant period of time," Weir stated. "He's had an excellent breakthrough season with Sunderland, and we are looking forward to him joining us in the summer."
Despite his upcoming move, Watson remains focused on aiding Sunderland's performance this season. His commitment is evident as he aims to help them finish their campaign strongly.
The England Under-18 international debuted in the Championship against Huddersfield Town in April 2023. He gained attention by scoring twice in a victory over Stoke City in December. However, injuries have limited his playtime this season to just 542 minutes over 14 matches.
Watson's journey reflects both promise and challenges as he navigates his early career. His upcoming transition to Brighton marks a significant step forward while highlighting his resilience amid setbacks.