Brighton Sign PSV Defender Boscagli on Free Transfer

Brighton & Hove Albion have signed PSV Eindhoven’s center-back Olivier Boscagli on a free transfer. The 27-year-old French defender will join in July when his current deal with the Dutch champions ends.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Olivier Boscagli has signed with Brighton & Hove Albion as a free agent. The 27-year-old defender will join the Premier League club when his PSV Eindhoven contract expires in June 2025. Brighton wanted him in the summer of 2024 for £8.5 million, but now they get him without a transfer fee.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Boscagli has become one of the Eredivisie‘s best defenders with PSV. Since joining from Nice for €2 million in 2019, he made 204 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 13 assists. He helped PSV win two Eredivisie titles, two Dutch Cups, and three Dutch Super Cups. The Frenchman was rated the best in his position in the 2024/25 Eredivisie season by WhoScored and Sofascore, showing the quality Brighton will add to their defense.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BRIGHTON

Boscagli’s signing is important as Brighton aim to improve their current Premier League campaign. The Seagulls are 9th in the table with 54 points from 36 games, just 3 points behind 7th-placed Newcastle and 5 points behind 6th-placed Manchester United in the race for European spots. With two league games left against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, Brighton hope to secure European football. Boscagli’s arrival will strengthen their defense for the 2025/26 season.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BOSCAGLI?

Before moving to Brighton in July, Boscagli will finish the season with PSV, who have already won the Eredivisie title. PSV have 89 points from 33 games, 13 points ahead of second-placed Feyenoord. In England, Boscagli will need to adjust to Premier League’s intensity and physicality. Brighton fans will see if his skills from the Netherlands will work in English football when the 2025/26 season starts in August.