Zhipan Sport

Brighton sign Austria defender Svoboda from Venezia

Jul 2, 08:02 PM

Brighton have completed the signing of Austria defender Michael Svoboda from Serie B champions Venezia on a four-year deal.

Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the signing of Austrian defender Michael Svoboda from Venezia, with the 22-year-old putting pen to paper on a four-year contract that runs until the summer of 2028. Svoboda, who stands at 1.86m, primarily plays as a centre-back but can also operate at right-back. He came through the youth ranks at Austria Wien before moving to Venezia in 2022, where he played a key role in helping the club win the Serie B title and secure promotion to Serie A last season. The defender's performances in Italy attracted interest from several European clubs, but Brighton moved quickly to secure his signature. Brighton's technical director commented: 'Michael is a young and promising defender with excellent defensive abilities and ball-playing skills, making him a perfect fit for our tactical system.' Svoboda expressed his excitement about the move: 'The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, and Brighton is an ambitious club. I'm looking forward to continuing my development here.' Brighton have built a reputation for unearthing young talent in the transfer market, and Svoboda's arrival further strengthens their defensive options. He will compete with the likes of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster for a starting spot in the new season. Svoboda is also a regular for the Austrian national team, having earned five caps so far. His addition is expected to enhance the depth and competitiveness of Brighton's backline.