Brighton sign Italy and Verona defender Coppola

Brighton & Hove Albion has officially announced the signing of Diego Coppola, a 21-year-old defender from Hellas Verona, marking him as the club's second signing of the summer transfer window. The exact fee for the transfer remains undisclosed, but Coppola has committed to a five-year contract with the Seagulls. The young Italian talent, who has made two appearances for the senior national team, began his professional journey with Verona, debuting in 2021 after progressing through the club's youth academy. Over his time at Verona, he has made a total of 81 appearances, scoring four goals, including two during the previous season where he featured in 35 matches. Brighton's head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, expressed enthusiasm about the signing, highlighting Coppola's attributes as a tall, strong, and mobile defender who will enhance the team's physical presence on the field. Hurzeler noted that Coppola's significant development in Serie A warranted his selection for the Italian national team, suggesting that the young defender is poised for a bright future in his career.

Currently, Diego Coppola is participating with the Italy U21 team in the European Championships taking place in Slovakia, indicating his ongoing development and importance to the national setup. His arrival at Brighton follows the earlier acquisition of Charalampos Kostoulas, a teenage forward from Olympiakos, for a fee of £29.8 million. This strategic recruitment reflects Brighton's ambition to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, as they aim to build a competitive team capable of performing well in the Premier League. The club's focus on acquiring young talent like Coppola aligns with their long-term vision of developing players who can contribute both immediately and in the future. As the transfer window progresses, Brighton fans will be eager to see how Coppola integrates into the team and what impact he will have in the upcoming season.