Moises Caicedo transfer: Most memorable Brighton moments

Moises Caicedo is on the brink of departing the Amex with Brighton set to net a British record transfer fee for the Chelsea-bound midfielder. Below, we’ll take a look at some of Moises Caicedo’s most memorable Brighton moments.

The Ecuadorian initially joined the Seagulls at the end of the January 2021 transfer window from Independiente del Valle in his homeland for what a fee believed to be less than £5m. There was little sign initially that Caicedo was on a path to becoming the most expensive player in British football history and he was loaned out to Belgian side Beerschot at the beginning of the 2021/22 season.

However a shortage of midfield options meant Caicedo returned in January 2022 and his rise since has been nothing short of extraordinary.

A Premier League debut win over Arsenal

Caicedo’s Premier League debut was as recently as April 2022 when Graham Potter thrust him into the starting lineup for Brighton’s trip to Arsenal. It couldn’t have gone much better with the Seagulls registering a surprise 2-1 win at the Emirates thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and Enock Mwepu.

“It was my dream to play in the Premier League and now I want to play every week” said Caidedo after the game which also saw the youngster register an assist.

Meanwhile Potter claimed “there is no doubt he is going to be a top player” after the performance and it’s fair to say the now former Brighton and Chelsea boss has quickly been proved right.

A first goal as the Seagulls thrash Man Utd

While not a player known for his goalscoring prowess given he operates in a defensive midfield role, Caicedo’s first goal in English football was still a memorable one. It came from the edge of the penalty area as the Ecuadorian fired past David de Gea in the Manchester United goal to put Brighton 1-0 up at the Amex only four weeks on from his debut against Arsenal.

This would turn out to be an even more memorable afternoon for everyone connected with Brighton as Potter’s side were rampant in a 4-0 win against Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United. It helped set the South Coast club up for a 9th finish in the 2021/22 season, a mark they’d better the following campaign despite a host of major departures including the manager who moved to Stamford Bridge in September 2022.

2022/23 player of the season double

Caicedo
MB Media / Icon Sport

By the time new boss Roberto De Zerbi was appointed, Caicedo was already well established in the Brighton side and gaining admirers far and wide with his mature displays in midfield. He added to his reputation at the 2022 World Cup for Ecuador where he scored against Senegal but the South Americans exited at the group stage and January 2023 would prove the most difficult month of Caicedo’s short Brighton career.

With interest growing in the 21 year old, Caicedo publicly expressed his desire to leave the club towards the end of the transfer window. However Brighton held firm, rejecting a reported £70m offer from Arsenal with Caicedo instructed to rest and return to training at the end of the transfer window.

To his credit, Caicedo’s performance levels didn’t drop as a result of the speculation and he returned to action only a matter of days after the conclusion of the transfer window. He was even convinced to sign a new long-term deal in March 2023 as Brighton continued their charge towards European qualification with some impressive displays and memorable victories.

Despite a host of star performers in one of the club’s best ever seasons, Caicedo swept up the end of season awards. He was voted Player of the Season by both the supporters and his teammates having already established himself as one of the brightest young midfielders in the Premier League.

By

Related articles