Brighton and Hove Albion are set to loan Amario Cozier-Duberry, after leaving him out of their first-team squad this weekend following his summer move from Arsenal.

Amario Cozier-Duberry after signing for Brighton (Photo via Brighton and Hove Albion)
Amario Cozier-Duberry after signing for Brighton (Photo via Brighton and Hove Albion)

Arsenal academy winger Amario Cozier-Duberry joined Brighton and Hove Albion over the summer, rejecting a contract offer from the Gunners to move to the south-coast club.

That move initially looked like it might immediately pay dividends, with Cozier-Duberry scoring twice in his first Brighton appearance – a friendly against Kashima Antlers.

But Cozier-Duberry only went on to play 30 minutes of Brighton’s following three friendlies, and he was left out of their matchday squad to face Everton on Saturday.

Amario Cozier-Duberry via Arsenal
Amario Cozier-Duberry during his time with Arsenal

Andy Naylor reports for The Athletic that Cozier-Duberry will now be sent out on loan to the Championship, with various clubs interested and a loan viewed as a better option than occasional substitute appearances.

The key problem is that there’s no obvious pathway to minutes for Cozier-Duberry at Brighton right now.

Fellow summer signing Yankuba Minteh (20) is less than a year older than Cozier-Duberry (19), and he impressed throughout pre-season before starting the opening game. He was substituted for Simon Adingra (22), another highly-rated winger.

Brighton have also signed Brajan Gruda (20), another expensive right-wing summer transfer. Gruda likely would have been involved on Saturday if he’d been signed a bit earlier.

TOKYO, JAPAN: Simon Adingra of Brighton in action during the match between Kashima Antlers and Brighton Hove & Albion at National Stadium on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN: Simon Adingra of Brighton in action during the match between Kashima Antlers and Brighton Hove & Albion at National Stadium on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

With at least three players ahead of Cozier-Duberry in his position, not to mention the injured Solly March, he won’t get chances with Brighton this season.

Bar March, none of them are close to ageing out of the team or running down their deals either, so it may be just as difficult to play in the side next season.

Cozier-Duberry’s best bet now is probably to follow Omari Hutchinson’s pathway, impressing with a Championship club and generating transfer interest so he can quickly move on.