By Chalien Dantes 

Brighton have pulled off a nifty summer signing, securing French defender Olivier Boscagli on a free transfer following his successful spell at PSV Eindhoven. 

The 27-year-old has committed his future to the Seagulls with a five-year deal.

Boscagli arrives at the Amex Stadium fresh from back-to-back triumphs with PSV, where he made 204 appearances across five seasons after joining from Nice in 2019. Capable of slotting in at both centre back and left back, the former France U21 international provides crucial defensive flexibility for Brighton’s upcoming Premier League campaign and European commitments. 

The Frenchman becomes Brighton’s fifth summer acquisition, joining Greek striker Charalampos Kostoulas, wingers Tommy Watson and Yoon Doyoung, along with Italian defender Diego Coppola. These signings offset Wednesday’s departures of João Pedro to Chelsea and Valentín Barco to Strasbourg.

Boscagli’s arrival continues Brighton’s smart recruitment strategy of identifying undervalued talent from Europe’s secondary leagues. With his prime years ahead and experience in title races, the defender could prove one of the bargains of the summer transfer window as Brighton look to improve on last season’s eighth-place finish.