Brighton complete £30m club-record transfer for Watford striker Joao Pedro with Liverpool’s James Milner lined up next
BRIGHTON have completed the club record signing of Joao Pedro from Championship side Watford.
The Seagulls have forked out just shy of £30million for the Brazilian striker, with the deal having the potential to rise to £35m.
Pedro, 21, has signed a five-year deal at The Amex and will join the club when the summer transfer window officially opens following this season.
The deal breaks Brighton‘s previous club record signing of £20m paid to Bristol City in 2019 to sign defender Adam Webster and is a huge fee for Watford.
Pedro has 11 goals and four assists in 35 Championship appearances this season.
Roberto De Zerbi‘s side are also set to sign Liverpool midfielder James Milner on a free transfer.
Milner, 37, is out of contract at Anfield this summer and is expected to agree a one-year deal on the south coast, joining former Liverpool teammate Adam Lallana at The Amex.
Following the Pedro announcement, Seagulls technical director, David Weir, said: “Joao has been a long-term target of ours, and he has also attracted a lot of interest from across Europe.
“So, we are delighted to have reached an agreement with a key target for the club ahead of the summer window opening, and it is great for Joao that he can focus on the new season, with his immediate future settled.
“He’s a brilliant young talent, technically very good, quick and with an eye for goal.
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“He will complement our existing forward line very well.
“He also has settled well here, with good experience of both the Premier League and Championship and more than 100 games for Watford.”