Brighton have signed the Canada international striker Promise David from the Belgian champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy, understood to be worth around £22m, a fee Union Saint-Gilloise said was a record for the club.
The 25-year-old scored 19 goals in his first season after joining Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024, helping the club to its first league title in 90 years, and went on to total 41 goals and nine assists in 82 appearances there. His route to Belgium took in spells in his native Canada, Croatia and the United States, followed by two clubs in the Maltese Premier League and a move to Estonian side Nomme Kalju.
"Promise is someone we have been watching for some time, he is an out-and-out striker who possesses outstanding physical attributes and a track record of scoring goals," said Brighton sporting director Mike Cave. "His experience at international level and in European competition will hopefully prove valuable this season. At 25, he's entering his prime playing years and we're excited to see him continue to develop in our environment."
David featured as a substitute in four of Canada's five games at this year's World Cup, scoring in a 2-1 group-stage defeat by Switzerland. He switched his international allegiance from Nigeria and has four goals in 14 appearances for Canada.