Tommy Watson expected to leave Brighton on loan with Championship favoured | OneFootball

Tommy Watson is expected to head out on loan again this summer, with the Championship seen as the most likely destination. Sunderland Echo understands that Brighton want the 20-year-old to secure regular senior football. His camp want him playing regularly.

Brighton signed the former Sunderland winger last year in a deal worth around £10million and handed him a long-term contract. He remains highly rated, but a full season of games is viewed as the right next step. The aim is a loan that offers sustained minutes and momentum across a full campaign.

Watson’s first campaign away from Wearside was mixed. He made 10 appearances in the first half of 2025-26 and scored on debut in a 6-0 EFL Cup win over Oxford United. Premier League minutes were limited, then he joined Millwall on loan in February, reuniting with Alex Neil, and played 12 times.

Competition at Brighton is intense and could grow by the end of the window. Kaoru Mitoma has 12 months left on his deal, Ibrahim Osman impressed in spells, Diego Gomez is another left-sided option, and further signings are possible.

Born in Horden, Watson joined Sunderland at under-nine level and debuted against Huddersfield Town in April 2023. A back injury disrupted early 2023-24 before he signed a new three-year contract that September. His breakthrough came in 2024-25 when he netted his first league goals in a 2-1 win over Stoke City.

Brighton moved in April 2025, with his switch confirmed before he officially joined at the start of June. He then signed off for Sunderland by coming off the bench to score the stoppage-time winner in the play-off final against Sheffield United, sealing a 2-1 Wembley comeback and promotion.

Internationally, Watson has represented England from under-17 to under-19 level, made his under-21 debut in September 2025, and received an under-20 call-up during his Millwall spell.

Source: Sunderland Echo