Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the departure of their midfielder Billy Gilmour. The 23-year-old has joined Serie A giants Napoli on a permanent transfer.
Billy Gilmour Leaves Brighton for Napoli
Serie A Challenge and Familiar Faces Await Scottish Star
We can confirm midfielder Billy Gilmour has completed a permanent move to Napoli, for undisclosed terms. 🤝 Thanks for the memories, Billy! 💙🤍
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 30, 2024
While the club have said that the fee and terms of the deal remain undisclosed, The Athletic have suggested that the deal comes to £12 million plus £4 million worth of add-ons, on a five-year contract.
Gilmour will join compatriot Scott McTominay in Naples, who look to bolster their midfield after bouncing back from losing their opening match with a win against Bologna.
Read More: Tottenham Hotspur Centurion Departs Club in ‘Unusual’ Deal
There will also be another reunion for Gilmour, who will be back working with Antonio Conte, his former coach at Chelsea. Furthermore, he’ll also face another Scottish star in Che Adams who is already in scoring form for Torino. It used to be pretty rare to see a Scottish player in Serie A. In August 2019, Liam Henderson became the first Scot to play in Serie A since Graeme Souness in 1986.
Meanwhile, Brighton have moved to wish Gilmour all the best for the future.
Brighton’s Technical director David Weir said, “Billy quickly established himself as a popular figure in the dressing room and was a key player last season when we competed in the Europa League for the first time. “We wish him the best of luck with this move to Italy and thank him for his efforts with the club.”
Fabrizio Romano reports that Gilmour only wanted to join Napoli, making a “specific request to the club”. There was a moment in time where the move looked in doubt due to an injury in Brighton’s squad; new signing Matt O’Riley is sidelined after suffering an ankle injury on his debut that required him to undergo surgery.
Read More: ‘Here We Go’: Chelsea Set to Add Another Attacker to Endless Ranks
Gilmour’s Stint at Brighton
Having won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, Gilmour left the London side in 2022 to join Brighton. He went on to make 60 appearances in all competitions for the Seagulls, including 44 Premier League appearances.
The player has been praised for his professionalism by first-team head coach Fabian Hurzeler who said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the short time I worked with Billy. He’s a great professional and I wish him all the best for the future.”
Read More: Manchester United Insist on Conditions for £275k P/W Star – Player Reaches Agreement
Ex-Rangers striker Marco Negri has compared Gilmour to Jorginho.
“He is a pure midfielder, a playmaker, he plays in front of the defence, he comes out when you want to start from the back, he always makes himself seen, very good technically.”
In a slightly back-handed compliment, Negri said: “He doesn’t have great dynamism and goals but he is a guy who in my opinion is very suitable: he is like Jorginho, who with Conte can do very well.”
The stats do not lie, Gilmour’s output is fairly low for a midfielder, having two assists to his name and no goals for Brighton. Indeed, he has never scored a goal in a competitive match, despite having scored a few more at youth level. Maybe he can break his duck at Napoli.
Read More: ‘Deal Completed’: Arsenal Recruit Veteran ‘Leader’ After Failing to Land Youngster
