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Rio Ferdinand's son among rising Brighton stars to sign first professional contracts

Albion have announced that 12 academy players have signed their first professional contracts - including Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand's son, Lorenz.

The club have confirmed that goalkeeper Lorenz has penned fresh terms, as has striker Joe Belmont, right-back Matthew Hayden, centre-back Callum Mackley, midfielder Shane Nti, and winger Nehemiah Oriola - all of whom are 18.

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They are joined by 17-year-olds Harry Howell (striker), Henry Kasvosve (midfielder), Darius Lane (midfielder), Tyler Silsby (winger), and Freddie Simmonds (centre-back).

Finally, defensive midfielder Yussif Owusu, 19, has also followed suit. Academy manager Ian Buckman expressed his delight at extending the stays of these Albion starlets.

He told the club's website: "We’re pleased to see this cohort of players sign their first professional contracts here, with a number of them at the club from a very young age.

"All of them have already had some form of experience with the under-21s, while a few have been involved with the first team.

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"We look forward to them continuing their careers with us and helping them develop over the coming years."

Howell joined Albion at under-9 level, as did Simmonds, and made his Premier League debut in Fabian Hurzeler's side's 3-2 win over Liverpool in May.

Lane linked up with Albion at under-12 level, Ferdinand, Hayden, and Mackley joined in the year group above, and Nti and Silsby came in at under-14 level.

Owusu's services were secured from Chelsea in 2022, Belmont swapped Liverpool for Albion in 2023, Oriola left Manchester United for the south coast that same year, and Kasvosve signed from Bristol City a year later.

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