Hadjam's Brighton Move: A Shift in Focus

Jaouen Hadjam’s Swiss farewell might just have begun with a seat on the bench.

The Algeria international was withdrawn from the spotlight on Sunday as Young Boys beat Vaduz 4-2, left unused for the full 90 minutes amid growing expectation that a £10 million switch to Brighton is close.

Head coach Gerardo Seoane had already laid the groundwork in the build-up, openly questioning how focused the 23-year-old could be “when he is on the verge of a potential transfer.” On Sunday, his team sheet backed up those doubts.

The decision was striking. Hadjam had started Young Boys’ previous matches, a regular presence in their title-winning defence last season after arriving from Nantes and helping secure the 2023-24 Swiss crown. This time, he watched it all unfold from the sidelines.

When the final whistle went, the clues kept stacking up. Hadjam spent around 15 minutes signing autographs and posing for photos with supporters. That in itself is nothing new for the former Paris FC youngster, who has never been shy about engaging with fans. But this time the gestures were read differently. It looked and felt like goodbye.

A versatile full-back, Hadjam is predominantly a left-back but is comfortable operating on the right as well. That flexibility fits neatly with Brighton’s recent profile in the position.

Ferdi Kadioglu excelled at left-back last season, so much so that he walked away with the club’s player of the year award, yet he too can switch flanks when required. Maxim De Cuyper offers another option on the left, a converted winger whose sharpest work in the Premier League so far has arguably come higher up the pitch.

Into that mix, Brighton appear ready to drop a 21-cap Algeria international entering his prime. For Young Boys fans, the image of Hadjam lingering by the advertising boards, pen in hand and cameras flashing, may prove to be their last of him in yellow. For Brighton, it could be the first hint of a reshaped back line taking form.