Brighton Secures Algerian Defender Jaouen Hadjam for £9.5 Million

Algerian defender Jaouen Hadjam has officially transferred to Brighton in a significant £9.5 million move from Swiss club Young Boys. This marks a notable achievement in his burgeoning international football career. Born in Paris, Hadjam is of Algerian descent and, after representing France at Under-17s and Under-19s levels, made the pivotal decision to switch his international allegiance to Algeria in 2023. Since then, he has earned 21 caps for the Algerian national team, including one start and two substitute appearances at the World Cup.

Hadjam's professional journey began with Paris FC, where he made his Ligue 2 debut in August 2020. Over two and a half years, he accumulated 44 appearances and contributed one assist before moving to Nantes for approximately £260,000. His career then led him to Young Boys in January 2024 for just over £1 million. During his time with the Swiss side, Hadjam made 98 appearances, scoring six goals and providing seven assists, and played a key role in their 2023-24 Swiss title win.

Known for his height and agility, Hadjam possesses the modern skillset of a full-back. He is recognized for his deceptive speed, clocking top speeds between 20.6 and 20.9 miles per hour in major competitions. An attacking player, Hadjam demonstrates a higher-than-average success rate for dribbles and crosses into the opposition box, consistently looking to get forward and overlap. His acquisition brings a dynamic and forward-thinking presence to Brighton's defensive line, highlighting his continued development and impact in European football.