Jaouen Hadjam's Potential Move to Brighton: What It Means for His Future

Jaouen Hadjam was kept firmly in the shadows in Switzerland – just as his future looked set to move to the south coast.

The Algeria international full-back, strongly expected to join Brighton in a £10 million deal from Young Boys, was taken out of the firing line on Sunday. He stayed on the bench and remained unused as Young Boys beat Vaduz 4-2 in the league.

For a player who had started their previous games, it felt like a significant shift.

Head coach Gerardo Seoane had already laid the groundwork in the days before the match, openly questioning how focused Hadjam could be “when he is on the verge of a potential transfer.” On Sunday, his team sheet backed up those doubts.

The final whistle brought another telling scene. Hadjam spent around 15 minutes signing autographs and posing for photos with supporters. That in itself is nothing new – the former Paris FC youngster has long been generous with his time – but this one carried a different weight. In the stands and around the touchline, it was read as a goodbye.

Hadjam, 23, operates mainly at left-back but can also switch to the right, a versatility that fits neatly with how Brighton like to build their back line. He previously played for Nantes before moving to Young Boys, where he arrived in time to help secure the 2023-24 Swiss title. His 21 caps for Algeria underline the level at which he has been operating.

Brighton’s left side is already a competitive area. Ferdi Kadioglu excelled there last season, standing out at left-back and walking away with player of the year honours, while also being comfortable on the right. Maxim De Cuyper, converted from winger to full-back, offers another option on that flank, though his performances in the Premier League so far have arguably looked more convincing higher up the pitch.

If Hadjam completes his move, he will walk into a unit rich in options and tactical flexibility. The question now is simple: does he arrive as cover, or as a serious challenger to reshape Brighton’s defensive hierarchy?