Brighton Loan Watch: Gruda and Cozier-Duberry Lead the Way

Brajan Gruda (22) – RB Leipzig

Brajan Gruda is enjoying an incredible start to the season in Germany, having returned to RB Leipzig after spending the second half of last season there.

He has become Leipzig’s key creative outlet, establishing himself as a regular starter and delivering skilful performances in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League. With two goals and seven assists in 13 appearances across all competitions, Gruda has helped Leipzig reach fourth in the Bundesliga table.

His recent call-up to Jürgen Klopp’s Germany squad is further recognition of a player going from strength to strength.

For Albion fans, though, his performances come with a painful reminder. Leipzig have an option to make the move permanent for around £25 million, with rumours suggesting they could trigger it sooner rather than later.

Facundo Buonanotte (21) – Elche CF

It feels a long time since Facundo Buonanotte was getting minutes and scoring goals for Brighton as a teenager under Roberto De Zerbi.

After a string of unsuccessful Premier League loans at Leicester, Chelsea, and Leeds, Facu is trying his luck in La Liga with Elche. Unfortunately, regular football has remained difficult to come by. He has made just three starts across Elche’s 13 matches, remaining an unused substitute in four of them.

Despite those limited opportunities, he has contributed a goal and an assist.

We have seen the talent that made Buonanotte an Argentina international at just 18. Hopefully, this spell can help him rediscover that spark and start building some momentum.

Amario Cozier-Duberry (21) – Middlesbrough

Arguably Brighton’s most successful loanee last season, Amario Cozier-Duberry has made the step up to Championship football look remarkably straightforward.

He has quickly established himself as a starter for Middlesbrough, contributing 8 g/a in 10 matches and starting every one as Boro push for promotion to the Premier League.

With quick feet, creativity, and an eye for a spectacular goal, there is a strong case for Cozier-Duberry being Brighton’s most exciting young prospect.

If he maintains this form, we could well see him running down the wing in blue and white next season.

James Beadle (22) – Birmingham City

James Beadle has stayed with Birmingham City for the 2026/27 season, building on a relatively successful campaign with the Blues last time out.

He has taken his performances up another level this season. Birmingham currently sit top of the Championship, with Beadle conceding just 12 goals in 13 games and keeping four clean sheets as No.1 goalkeeper.

Unfortunately, an injury picked up two weeks ago has interrupted that progress and forced him to withdraw from England Under-21 duty this month. He is expected to return by the end of November, where he will hope to pick up where he left off.

Eiran Cashin (25) – Derby County

Eiran Cashin is spending the season back at Derby County, the club Brighton paid £9 million to sign him from in January 2025.

His return has been disrupted by injury, with the defender making just two appearances before being sidelined in September. He has now been out for seven weeks.

Cashin remains a popular figure at Derby, and his promising loan spell at Blackburn last season offered encouragement. The Rams will be hoping he can bring that form into their defence once he returns.

Matías Orozco (18) – CD Castellón

There is plenty of excitement surrounding Matías Orozco, who joined Brighton for around £4 million this summer.

The midfielder has made a strong start to life at CD Castellón in Spain’s second division, contributing a goal and three assists from defensive midfield. His performances have also earned him senior call-ups to Colombia’s national team.

One setback was the controversial straight red card he received against Burgos CF on November 1, but it has otherwise been an encouraging spell.

Castellón sit top of La Liga 2, with Orozco already establishing himself as a key player. At just 18, he is giving Brighton fans plenty of reasons to be excited about his future in Albion’s midfield.

Rodrigo Rego (21) – CD Castellón

Rodrigo Rego was something of a surprise signing this summer, with the Portuguese winger joining Brighton from Benfica for around £3 million.

Like Orozco, he is spending the season at CD Castellón, although he has yet to secure a regular starting place and has made most of his appearances from the bench.

Rego is still waiting for his first goal involvement in Spain, but he did score for Portugal’s Under-21s in September. Interestingly, he was playing at left-back for his national side.

That versatility could prove useful as his career develops. For now, Brighton will be hoping he can earn more consistent minutes and begin making his mark at club level.

Tommy Watson (20) – Leicester City

Tommy Watson arrived at Brighton with a big reputation after scoring Sunderland’s spectacular injury-time winner in the 2025 Championship play-off final.

An underwhelming 2025/26 campaign followed, with spells in Brighton’s first team and on loan at Millwall. This season, he is playing League One football with former Premier League champions Leicester City.

The reviews of his performances have been mixed so far, although a goal off the bench in the FA Cup offered a positive moment.

Both Watson and Brighton will be hoping he can build on that, earn more opportunities, and get his development back on track.

Kamari Doyle (21) – Leicester City

The second of Brighton’s Leicester trio, Kamari Doyle has reunited with Russell Martin after their time together at Southampton.

He has made a strong start for the Foxes, scoring three goals in eight appearances and earning five league starts so far. Used both on the wing and in attacking midfield, Doyle is showing his quality and proving himself to be a very solid player at this level.

Harry Howell (18) – Leicester City

After becoming Brighton’s youngest-ever starter last season, Harry Howell is also spending the campaign on loan at Leicester.

He marked his first league start for the Foxes with a goal in their win over Plymouth, though, understandably, Howell has yet to establish himself as a regular starter. At just 18, this season is about adapting to the demands of a full campaign in senior football and making the most of his opportunities.

We already know how exciting a prospect he is. This is another important step in his development.

Charlie Tasker (20) – Rochdale

One of Brighton’s standout academy performers over the past few years, Charlie Tasker is getting his first extended taste of senior football on loan at Rochdale in League Two.

He has quickly become a key player for Dale, starting 10 of their league matches so far and contributing 3 g/a from right-back.

Do-Young Yoon (20) – FC Magdeburg

Brighton’s Korean talent is spending the season with FC Magdeburg in Germany’s second tier.

Yoon has yet to break into the senior side, instead making eight starts for the club’s reserves, Magdeburg II.

For now, the next step is to turn those appearances into an opportunity with the first team.