Ferguson not fit for Brighton pre-season after return from Roma: ‘More damage’ | OneFootball

Evan Ferguson will return to Brighton from Roma, but Republic of Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson admits the striker is unlikely to be fit when the pre-season begins.

Republic of Ireland international Ferguson is set to leave Roma after a disappointing one-season loan spell in the capital, but won’t be fit to start the pre-season with Brighton.

Ferguson back to Brighton from Roma, but not fit for pre-season

“No, I don’t think so,” Republic of Ireland coach Hallgrimsson said at a press conference via the BBC.

“I spoke to him last time two or three weeks ago and it was more damage than the doctor thought in the beginning so he is probably fully fit some time September or October,” the coach added.

“You never know, hopefully it will be sooner, but I think for him and everyone it would be wise to take this slowly and leave this injury in the past instead of rushing it.”

Ferguson joined Roma on an initial loan deal from Brighton last summer with the Giallorossi holding a €40m option to buy.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Ferguson was initially a semi-regular starter under Gian Piero Gasperini in the first part of the season, grabbing two goals and one assist in his opening 13 Serie A appearances.

However, Donyell Malen quickly became a key player and a regular starter following a January loan move from Aston Villa, so Ferguson ended the season with just five goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.

Ferguson has been out of action since March 2026, when he underwent ankle surgery and remains under contract with Brighton until June 2029.

Kostas Tsimikas also failed to impress while on loan at Roma and will return to Liverpool in the summer, whereas Malen has completed a permanent €25m move to the Olimpico after scoring 14 goals in 18 Serie A matches.