Brighton Winger Poised for Permanent Departure | OneFootball

Jeremy Sarmiento’s Brighton Exit Marks the End of an Ecuadorian Era

A Journey That Promised More

Jeremy Sarmiento’s time at Brighton & Hove Albion is set to end with a permanent departure before the close of the summer transfer window, suggest reports By The Athletic. Once seen as a raw but exciting winger with the pace to torment defenders, the Ecuador international has struggled to establish himself as a regular presence on the south coast. His decision to remain in Europe, despite interest from South America, underlines both ambition and frustration.

Sarmiento’s Brighton contract runs until June 2027, with an additional year as an option, but it appears all parties agree a fresh start is overdue.

Photo: IMAGO

Loan Spells Without Legacy

The 23-year-old has clocked up successive Championship stints, most notably helping Ipswich to Premier League promotion in 2023-24, scoring three times in 20 appearances. He mirrored that achievement with Burnley in 2024-25, scoring four in 35 games. “Sarmiento has not been able to establish himself as a first team regular since joining Brighton from Charlton Athletic four years ago.”

West Bromwich Albion also offered him a platform, where he managed two goals in 20 outings. Yet it was not enough to convince Brighton bosses of his Premier League readiness. His final senior appearance for Brighton came in August 2024, before a loan to Burnley was finalised. A behind-closed-doors outing for Fabian Hürzeler’s side against Coventry was a quiet farewell.

Severing Ecuadorian Links

Sarmiento’s move signals the end of Brighton’s notable Ecuadorian era. Alongside Moises Caicedo and Pervis Estupiñán, who moved to Chelsea and AC Milan respectively, Brighton had been a Premier League hub for Ecuadorian talent. “Sarmiento’s proposed exit will sever Brighton’s ties with players from Ecuador.”

Brighton helped shape three key players from Ecuador’s 2022 World Cup last-16 squad, but only Caicedo truly cracked the Premier League code.

Time for a Reset

A technically gifted forward born in Spain, once representing England at youth level, Sarmiento still has time to rebuild. Whether that comes in a lower-tier Premier League side or a continental adventure remains to be seen, but at 23, the potential lingers. His exit is not a failure, but a pause in what once looked like a thrilling ascent.

Our View – EPL Index

There’s something about Jeremy Sarmiento that feels unfinished. Supporters watching his fleeting cameos at Brighton or on loan in the Championship will recall the bursts of energy, the quick feet and the ambition to cut inside and strike. But that spark has never quite ignited into something consistent. Still, he’s only 23.

Clubs scouting for smart attacking options with upside will find value in Sarmiento. He’s had exposure to promotion battles, experienced tactical discipline at multiple clubs and clearly hasn’t lost his appetite for staying in European football. “He wants to stay in Europe,” the report notes. That suggests confidence in his own ability to succeed on the continent.

With Brighton’s Ecuadorian legacy now closed, Sarmiento could well be the one that got away if he lands in the right system. Fabian Hürzeler gave him a quiet runout recently, but it was telling that his final act at Brighton came behind closed doors. That doesn’t reflect his personality — it’s more likely a sign the chapter was quietly closed.

Any club willing to invest in patience and give Sarmiento a defined role could unlock a clever operator. Expect him to take this next move personally, with a point to prove.