[Albion] The 2022-23 players retained/released thread

[AZ Gull]

There has been no official news from the club yet but in the last few days a few of the U-21s have taken to social media to report their departure from the Seagulls. So far we know the following are not being retained:-

Toby Bull - goalkeeper who has been with the club for 10 years. He had a loan spell with Isthmian League Premier Division Merstham in 2021-22 and made 31 appearances. Was called up for a Republic of Ireland U-19 training camp in August 2021. Made only 3 appearances for the U-21s this season.

Matt Everitt - the midfielder spent a number of years in the Brentford youth system before moving to Albion in 2016 when the Bees closed their academy. He made only 2 appearances for the U-23s in 2021-22 due to injury. Made 10 starts (plus numerous sub appearances) for the U-21s this season. Has represented the Republic of Ireland at U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19 level.

Ben Wilson - the Northern Irish forward joined Albion to commence his scholarship in 2018 but his time with the Seagulls has been blighted by injury throughout his stay. Has represented Northern Ireland up to U-19 level but made only 8 starts (plus numerous sub appearances) for the U-21s this season.

 

[AZ Gull]

Haydon Roberts has also been released:-

 

[Springal]

Released or not agreed a new contract?

 

[GrossTurn]

Shame about Roberts ultimately not making the grade. Brighton born and still only 21 but clearly hasn’t kicked on in the way the club would’ve hoped during his loan spells. Felt like he was very highly rated a few years back around the time he scored in that league cup tie vs Villa, and seemed destined to be the next locally produced CB in a long line over the past 10/15 years.

 

[Springal]

Shame about Roberts ultimately not making the grade. Brighton born and still only 21 but clearly hasn’t kicked on in the way the club would’ve hoped during his loan spells. Felt like he was very highly rated a few years back around the time he scored in that league cup tie vs Villa, and seemed destined to be the next locally produced CB in a long line over the past 10/15 years.

Wasn't there quite a strong suggestion that his dad was trying to get him a move away due to no pathway, so we took an extra year option on his contract but he wasn't interested in signing anything new with us.

He was making kissy faces early this year - https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sp...-news/derby-county-loanee-future-hint-8109212

 

[B-right-on]

Shame about Roberts ultimately not making the grade. Brighton born and still only 21 but clearly hasn’t kicked on in the way the club would’ve hoped during his loan spells. Felt like he was very highly rated a few years back around the time he scored in that league cup tie vs Villa, and seemed destined to be the next locally produced CB in a long line over the past 10/15 years.

Yep. Apparently doing well in L1 which seems to be his current level. Nothing wrong with that but doesn't look PL standards.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Wasn't there quite a strong suggestion that his dad was trying to get him a move away due to no pathway, so we took an extra year option on his contract but he wasn't interested in signing anything new with us.

He was making kissy faces early this year - https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sp...-news/derby-county-loanee-future-hint-8109212

“Roberts will have a big decision to make on his future at the end of the season, with his contract at parent club Brighton set to expire in the summer.”

Looks as if he has walked from this article. Fully expect him to sign for Derby when the window opens in a few weeks.

 

[AZ Gull]

Released or not agreed a new contract?

Well, I'm sure if he chose to walk away it won't take his dad long to correct me on twitter!!

 

[AmexRuislip]

There has been no official news from the club yet but in the last few days a few of the U-21s have taken to social media to report their departure from the Seagulls. So far we know the following are not being retained:-

Toby Bull - goalkeeper who has been with the club for 10 years. He had a loan spell with Isthmian League Premier Division Merstham in 2021-22 and made 31 appearances. Was called up for a Republic of Ireland U-19 training camp in August 2021. Made only 3 appearances for the U-21s this season.

Matt Everitt - the midfielder spent a number of years in the Brentford youth system before moving to Albion in 2016 when the Bees closed their academy. He made only 2 appearances for the U-23s in 2021-22 due to injury. Made 10 starts (plus numerous sub appearances) for the U-21s this season. Has represented the Republic of Ireland at U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19 level.

Ben Wilson - the Northern Irish forward joined Albion to commence his scholarship in 2018 but his time with the Seagulls has been blighted by injury throughout his stay. Has represented Northern Ireland up to U-19 level but made only 8 starts (plus numerous sub appearances) for the U-21s this season.

Have you been watching the HK7's

 

[RM-Taylor]

“Roberts will have a big decision to make on his future at the end of the season, with his contract at parent club Brighton set to expire in the summer.”

Looks as if he has walked from this article. Fully expect him to sign for Derby when the window opens in a few weeks

Wasn't there quite a strong suggestion that his dad was trying to get him a move away due to no pathway, so we took an extra year option on his contract but he wasn't interested in signing anything new with us.

He was making kissy faces early this year - https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sp...-news/derby-county-loanee-future-hint-8109212

Leeds tried to sign him last summer, potentially might end up there

 

[GT49er]

Haydon Roberts has also been released:-

View attachment 161430

Shame - but it sort of felt like that was coming. Did a decent job on loan, but without appearing to live up to early promise. A decent career in football beckons - which is more than most young kids with aspirations to be professional footballers can aspire to - but maybe not at PL level.

 

[AZ Gull]

Have you been watching the HK7's

Nope, I was busy visiting the Land of Nod when those matches were taking place.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Leeds tried to sign him last summer, potentially might end up there

Championship football would be a step-up from League One for sure.

 

[RM-Taylor]

Imagine the U21s/18s released list will be released this week:

Tsoungui we already know is going along with those mentioned in this thread

Weir is out of contract, but his dad may want him to stay on

Tolaj is also I think out of contract

McGill also, unless he signed a years extension

Not sure who else from the academy is due to expire in June

 

[GT49er]

Imagine the U21s/18s released list will be released this week:

Tsoungui we already know is going along with those mentioned in this thread

Weir is out of contract, but his dad may want him to stay on

Tolaj is also I think out of contract

McGill also, unless he signed a years extension

Not sure who else from the academy is due to expire in June

What do we already know about Tsoungui? Questions have been asked elsewhere on NSC, but no-one had any answers. If you have, please spill!

 

[RM-Taylor]

What do we already know about Tsoungui? Questions have been asked elsewhere on NSC, but no-one had any answers. If you have, please spill!

I think he is on trial at Feyenoord at the moment

 

[GT49er]

I think he is on trial at Feyenoord at the moment

I've given you a 'like', but I don't really like your answer! I hoped to see him progress, eventually, wth us - him and Ed Turns together were a superb CB pairing in PL2. IMHO, like.

 

[AZ Gull]

Another day, another player announcing his release from the club on social media - this time midfielder Jack Spong:-

Spong made his senior debut for the club in that Aston Villa Carabao Cup tie back in 2019 (along with Haydon Roberts). He also started against Forest Green Rovers in August.

It does seem that the club is staggering these decisions (or at least imparting the news) over a period of days, rather than telling everyone at the same time.

I find it interesting that Tom McGill posted "Gonna miss you bro!" - which suggests, to me, that the Canadian custodian is extending his stay with the Seagulls, but maybe I'm reading too much into it (or perhaps the Night of the Long Knives has yet to visit the 'keeper).

* As an aside - the only players out of the (very youthful) 18-man matchday squad from that Villa cup-tie in 2019 who are currently still with the club are Teddy Jenks, Aaron Connolly and Jason Steele. There is every chance that, within a few weeks, Steele could be the sole survivor. Much is made - rightly - of our youth system these days, but it just goes to show how difficult it is to actually produce Premier League ready youngsters and what a high dropout rate there is.

 

[AZ Gull]

To the best of my knowledge, the following youngsters (other than those whose release we already know about) have a contract which expires at the end of this season. Of course, it is always possible that extensions were signed that weren't publicised, or there are options which the club may (or may not) exercise:-

Benicio Baker-Boaitey
Samy Chouchane
James Furlong
Jack Hinchy
Teddy Jenks
Marc Leonard
Tom McGill
Todd Miller
Sam Packham
Fynn Talley (GK)
Lorent Tolaj
Antef Tsoungui
Jensen Weir

In addition, I am not sure of the contract durations for Killian Cahill, Billie Clark, Leigh Kavanagh and Casey Shann, so it is possible that any or all of these are also out of contract this summer.

Hopefully we will get some definitive news from the club this week.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

When we were in L1, those kids who were 12-15 at the time seem to have gone on to have L1 experience and lots of Championship potential.

When we were in Championship, that next group of kids seem to have gone on to eventually play at good Euro sides in weaker leagues or borderline top league sides in big countries. Maybe good bench options at lower PL sides.

We keep growing as a club and extending away of our youth, but they seem to not only make it at the level we were at when they signed, often a level above. I’m hopeful that eventually our mid table PL kids who could be top 6, will stop moving to top 6 academies and stick around as that trend seemed to suddenly sneak in 18 months or so ago?

We’ve done great though overall.