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Jeremy Sarmiento’s Brighton Exit Closes the Curtain on a Golden Ecuadorian Chapter
Jeremy Sarmiento’s departure from Brighton & Hove Albion appears imminent, bringing a definitive end to a chapter once full of promise for both player and club. According to The Athletic, the 23-year-old Ecuador international is expected to leave permanently before the summer transfer window shuts drawing a line under a four-year spell that never quite took flight.
A Career of Unfulfilled Potential
Initially signed from Charlton Athletic with hopes he’d evolve into a top-tier winger, Sarmiento showed glimpses of flair pacy runs, clever footwork, and an attacking spark. But consistent Premier League minutes proved elusive. Despite holding a contract through to June 2027 (with an optional additional year), it’s now understood that all parties believe a fresh start is best.
Loan Journeyman Without a Breakthrough
Sarmiento spent the last two seasons gaining experience in the Championship, with mixed results. He notched three goals in 20 matches for Ipswich Town, playing a role in their promotion campaign in 2023–24. The following season at Burnley brought more playing time and four goals in 35 outings. Prior to that, he had a stint at West Bromwich Albion, managing two goals in 20 games. Despite this exposure, Brighton never saw enough to integrate him fully into their Premier League plans. His final appearance came in a behind-closed-doors match against Coventry City an anticlimactic farewell.
End of an Ecuadorian Era
Sarmiento’s exit marks the symbolic conclusion of Brighton’s once-celebrated Ecuadorian pipeline. With Moisés Caicedo now at Chelsea and Pervis Estupiñán plying his trade at AC Milan, Brighton’s connection to Ecuador’s 2022 World Cup stars is effectively severed. While Caicedo blossomed into an elite-level player, Sarmiento’s development plateaued less a failure, more an unfinished project.
Where Next for the Spanish-Born Playmaker?
Despite his struggles, Sarmiento’s career remains in front of him. Born in Spain and previously capped at youth level by England, his technical quality and top-flight exposure make him an intriguing target for clubs seeking upside. He’s publicly committed to staying in Europe, suggesting both confidence and an eagerness to make good on his early promise.
The Verdict – EPL Index
Sarmiento leaves Brighton as something of an enigma: a player whose talent is evident but whose trajectory remains incomplete. His short-lived flashes of quality darting runs, quick transitions, and attacking intent never quite matured into end product. Yet at just 23, there’s still time.
Any club willing to give him consistent minutes and a clear tactical role might discover a shrewd, versatile winger. Brighton may come to see him as the one who got away if his next chapter brings the breakthrough this one never did.
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