After months of speculation and back and forth, Tommy Watson will now officially be leaving Sunderland in the summer to join Brighton and Hove Albion.
It has been a rollercoaster season for the Sunderland youngster. After the departure of Jack Clarke last summer, and a long-term injury to Romaine Mundle, Tommy Watson emerged as the next big thing on Wearside at the backend of 2024.
However, a serious injury of his own hampered Watson’s progress in the New Year. Then, in the January transfer window, Watson looked destined to join Brighton before the move collapsed.
Since then, Watson has worked on getting himself back to full fitness and back in Regis Le Bris’ matchday squad, but the lingering issue of his contract expiring and Brighton’s interest remained in the background.
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Brighton finally secure signing of Tommy Watson
On Tuesday night, the club officially announced — somewhat out of the blue — that Watson had put pen to paper on a move to Brighton, with the teenager set to move down South to the Seagulls at the end of the season.
As per Fabrizio Romano, the deal will be worth an initial £10m and Watson will sign a long-term contract with the Premier League outfit. That is equivalent to what Brighton were offering in January, and it is thought Sunderland may also have a 20% sell-on clause in the deal.
Discussing the transfer, Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “Tommy’s a very talented young player, who’s been subject to multiple offers from Premier League Clubs over the past two windows, and it’s been well-documented that we’ve declined these approaches with the intent of extending his contract.
“Unfortunately, this has not been possible, and we now believe this agreement represents the best long-term outcome for Sunderland. Tommy first joined our Club at age six and his rise to the first team demonstrates what is possible at the Academy of Light.
“We are proud of the role we have played in his development and although we will be disappointed to see him depart in June, we know he’s fully committed to helping the team throughout the final stages of the season.”
Sunderland did well in January to hold firm and keep Watson to aid in their promotion push, but it looks like they were always fighting a losing battle to retain the youngster long term.
Sunderland fans agree they’ve got a good deal for Tommy Watson
Looking on social media at how the Sunderland faithful are feeling, it would seem the Black Cats have come out as the winners in this particular transaction.
As James Copley pointed out, this is £10m for a “player [who] wouldn’t sign a new deal” at the club, and who had made it abundantly clear he wanted to move on.
It seems the general consensus is that Sunderland got a “brilliant deal”, with one fan stating, “If he wants to go, let him. Can’t help but thinking he will regret that decision.”
Another highlighted the relative inexperience of Watson, adding, “On the face of it it’s a good deal for someone who has played the number of games he has.”
Others looked at the rest of the Sunderland squad, suggesting there’s no reason to panic, writing: “Shame but never mind we’ve got Romaine Mundle and the fee isn’t all that bad.”
Some supporters are unhappy with Watson, though, with one posting: “I don’t want to see him in a Sunderland shirt… I want passionate players who want the best for the club going into the play-offs. Not chancers whose heads are turned.”
Another had a bleak prediction for Watson, adding, “Not good enough for our first 11. Won’t get much game time at Brighton. If he’s chasing money good luck to him, but watch them splinters on the bench.”
Fans were happy Watson stayed in January, but it appears the tide has turned now the transfer has been made official. All that remains now is to see how much of a role he plays in the next seven games and the eventual play-off ties.