Younes Ibrahim is all smiles after the final whistle (Image: Liz Finlayson)
Younes Ibrahim is all smiles after the final whistle (Image: Liz Finlayson)
Younes Ibrahim has been told why he deserved a dream night at the Amex.
The 18-year-old made his first team Albion debut and his first contribution saw him cross with impressive poise and precision for Matt O’Riley to head the final goal against Kauno Zalgiris in the Conference League.
Ibrahim was born in Australia, of Egyptian and Moroccan heritage, and has spent much of his life in England.
He has progressed through the Albion under-21s and was part of their Sussex Transport Senior Cup side last season.
Ibrahim was on the bench for the recent Premier League game at Coventry and this time was called upon with Albion three goals up and well in command.
Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “He deserves it, and he shows in every training session what he's capable of doing.
“I think it was a very impactful sub. He came on the pitch, touch, second touch, cross.
“He showed some of our players how really crosses should be.
4 Years at @OfficialBHAFC for graduate Younes Ibrahim ✨ A unique talent- Moving abroad at 10 from our FT program, An extremely challenging journey for Younes and Family. Great to see him settled at his new club and working hard daily in a top environment. https://t.co/Cd8xHuj6y9
— Futboltec (@Futboltec) August 30, 2023
“I think in the first half we struggled a little bit with our crosses, to bring them on point.
“We know that Younes has a very good left foot.
“He's a very creative player but what I like the most is his intensity to work against the ball.
“What I like is his reactions when we lose the ball and he's a very humble kid, so I'm very pleased for him.”
Ibrahim’s progress is being followed from afar and with pride by Futboltec, the academy in Sydney where he used to play.
His family moved to England when he was ten and he has also had time with academies at Luton and Chelsea.
He enjoyed a purple patch about this time last year, at which point his under-18s head coach Bjorn Hamberg told The Argus: “He is a really good footballer, really good left foot and plays well in small spaces.
“He is an attacking threat, whether that is in transition, set-pieces or in and around the box. We are really pleased for him.
“He will catch the eye and he has been putting the work in over a period of time. I am happy he got the rewards.”
Earlier this season, Ibrahim scored with two free-kicks to help the under-21s beat their Paris St Germain contemporaries in the Premier League International Cup.
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Hurzeler added: “I'm very pleased for the whole academy because today was just the output, seeing it on the pitch, but all the work was done in the academy.
“I really have to praise all the academy coaches, have to praise Shannon Ruth, the under-21 coach, I have to praise Bucko (Ian Buckman), the academy chief, for doing this brilliant work with every player.
“So hopefully we can carry on like this and keep working hard to build these kinds of players.”
Shane Nti was on the bench following his two goals for the 21s at Gillingham in the EFL Trophy two nights earlier.