Brighton & Hove Albion have re-signed European Championship winner Michelle Agyemang on loan from Arsenal for the 2025-26 Women’s Super League season.
Agyemang, who starred as the Lionesses retained their Euros title this summer, spent last season on loan on the south coast, scoring five times in 22 appearances for Brighton in all competitions.
The 19-year-old earned a first England call-up in April and scored within 41 seconds of coming off the bench against Belgium, before making a significant impact at the Euros in Switzerland for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
Agyemang came off the bench to score important late goals in the quarter-final against Sweden and semi-final against Italy, as England retained the trophy by beating Spain in the final.
She was named young player of the tournament and has also been nominated for the women’s Kopa Trophy as part of this year’s Ballon d’Or awards.
Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic said: “We are thrilled to welcome Michelle back for another season. We loved working with her last year, and seeing how much she progressed as part of the squad.
“What she achieved during the summer with England was incredible but not surprising. She has the character, work ethic and relentless nature of a champion. As a club we’re incredibly proud of her.
“She was a pivotal part of our record-breaking season last year and we’re excited for what this new season looks like with her in our attack.”
Agyemang spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Championship side Watford where she scored five goals in 10 games.
She is, though, rated highly by Arsenal, and made her senior a senior debut at the age of 16 under former head coach Jonas Eidvall during the 2022-23 campaign.
Arsenal already have depth up front with England striker Alessia Russo and Sweden international Stina Blackstenius, and the north London side added Canada forward Olivia Smith in a world record £1million ($1.3m) deal this summer.
Brighton loan key for Agyemang’s long-term development – analysis
By The Athletic’s Women’s Football Writer Megan Feringa
Some will be disappointed not to see Agyemang in an Arsenal shirt this season but this is a savvy, holistic approach from Arsenal for the development of a player whose ceiling feels impossibly out of reach, even now.
Agyemang demonstrated her instinct and guile at the Euros, as well as her natural skill in front of goal. But that has also come after a season on loan with Brighton, of opportunities to round out key areas of her game.
This season, the expectation is she’ll start more matches, refine her movements off the ball and work on her link-up play to help drive and build Brighton’s attack. Last season, she managed just one assist from 22 appearances. Improving that statistic, as well as her output in front of goal (five goals), will be high priorities.
And if she does? Well, Arsenal seem certain to laugh their way to some silverware in the future.
(Marco Iacobucci/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)