Danny Welbeck decision will delight Brighton fans as Fabian Hurzeler says striker is in 'best shape of his career'
Brighton striker Danny Welbeck will stay at the club for at least another year, the BBC has reported.
The veteran forward has reportedly triggered a 12-month option in his contract to extend his deal to the end of next season.
The BBC report read: “The 35-year-old forward's current contract was due to expire at the end of this season, but it is understood the option for an extra year is now in place.
“Welbeck signed a new two-year deal in 2024 but the existence of the 12-month option was not reported at the time.”
Welbeck has two goals in last two matches following his latest clinical strike in Brighton's 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday – his tenth of the season.
He has now reached double figures for the past two seasons and seems to be getting better with age. The 42-cap England international joined Brighton on a free transfer in 2020 after an injury-hit spell at Watford. He previously played for Manchester United, before moving to the Gunners in 2014.
Brighton attacking coach Bobby Zamora told Sussex World, before the visit of Forest,that he fully expected Welbeck to surpass last term's goal tally.
"When I first came in, I obviously looked at Dan and went through his stats and I never realised he'd never scored 10 goals in a Premier League before," Zamora said to Sussex World, via Gambling.com.
"That surprised me and sort of blew my mind. When I started working with him and understand how he plays as a striker, I then realised actually you probably haven't scored that number of goals because you work so hard for the team. He's forever running back, forever tracking back and filling in holes.
"There are strikers that will not do that, that do not care about that part of the game at all. Whereas Dan will do it all and ultimately it takes you out of the kill zone more times than not, or it takes you longer to get into that kill zone.”
Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler has fielded numerous questions about Welbeck this term – and all of them have been positive.
Asked about the striker after his tenth goal of the season, the German, 33, said: “I think it’s down to his effort and the way he behaves as a professional. He’s there for the team, on and off the pitch.
“There’s no coincidence when you see how he works. I’ve been working with him for almost two years now and he seems to be in the best shape of his career. For me, that’s not by chance, how hard he works is just impressive.
“Together with the medical department they’re doing a great job, and with his team-mates he’s always pushing himself. So for me, it’s no coincidence at all.”