Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu: Set to Be a ‘New Signing’ After Injury Layoff

Clubs throughout the league are trying to get every edge as the 2025–2026 Premier League season approaches. Even the headlines are frequently dominated by new moves, important players returning from injuries or successful loan stints can have an equally significant impact.

Ryan Benson of Opta Analyst identifies eight players that have the potential to significantly improve their teams, proving the old saying that they may be “like a new signing.”

Ferdi Kadıoğlu, the Turkish full-back for Brighton & Hove Albion, is one of the most anticipated returnees. Kadıoğlu was a huge coup for the Seagulls when he was signed in August of last year for an estimated £25 million.

Following an outstanding performance at Euro 2024, the adaptable, attack-minded defender had drawn interest from several elite clubs, including Arsenal.

READ: In an ambitious transfer strategy, Galatasaray views a Chelsea striker as an alternative to Osimhen.

But when the Turkish national team revealed in November that Kadıoğlu had sustained a “capsule tear in his left big toe joint,” his debut season in England was abruptly cut short.

He eventually had surgery about two months after a longer than expected healing period, which prevented him from playing the rest of the 2024–2025 season.

Kadıoğlu is now anticipated to be fully recovered for the upcoming season, which will enable him to begin his Brighton career. It was clear from Kadıoğlu’s few Seagulls appearances before to injury that coach Fabian Hürzeler appreciated his versatility.

The versatility of Kadıoğlu is a crucial advantage for Brighton.

Despite being natively right-footed, Kadıoğlu is an interesting player who primarily played left-back for his former team, Fenerbahçe.

He played both full-back and more advanced wide positions for Hürzeler at Brighton. This implies that the team’s original intention was to use him as a useful utility player rather than just a left-back. Because of his technical skill, he could also drift into central areas when needed, which gave his game an additional depth.

It’s unclear exactly what role he will play going into the 2025–2026 season. Although the recent acquisition of Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge for a hefty price adds further competition, he could push Pervis Estupiñán for the starting left-back position. Brighton keeps Joël Veltman and Tariq Lamptey, who recently inked a new contract, on the right wing.

In contemporary football, players that can switch between positions and responsibilities with ease are highly prized. Kadıoğlu might be a very valuable addition to Brighton if he can rapidly rediscover his form and fitness. He would provide the team the depth and tactical adaptability they need, making him feel “like a new signing.”