Brighton and Hove Albion’s decision to loan out Malick Yalcouyé to Sturm Graz this season has proven to be an inspired one.
That’s at least according to Sky Austria, who profile the midfielder today and how his ‘rapid rise’ over the last 18 months hasn’t stopped in Austria.
They explain that despite only making the leap from Africa to Europe at the beginning of 2024, then signing for Premier League Brighton six months later, Yalcouyé hasn’t been overawed in the slightest.
Instead, the 19-year-old has ‘blossomed’ on loan at Sturm Graz this season, quietly maturing into one of the best players in the Admiral Bundesliga in just a few months.
Brighton elected to send the youngster to Austria to gain experience at a higher level and he’s done just that, fitting into Sturm Graz perfectly and proving to be a superb addition. He’s been a regular starter this season and impressed throughout, even being named Player of the Match in the Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
The ‘tireless running wonder’ has demonstrated his ‘unbridled commitment’ with skill every week and scored the winner in the derby with GAK, earning him the adoration of the fanbase in the process.
His performances have led to a rapidly rising price tag, with them estimating it at €13m, €6m more than the fee Brighton paid to secure him in the first place.
They’ll be happy with how the loan spell as worked out, with this transfer decision easy to put among their growing pile of success stories.
