'Exciting talent' Brighton sign Championship midfielder on a three-year contract

Midfielder Jensen Weir joined on a three-year contract from Wigan Athletic for a reported fee of £500,000.

The midfielder became Wigan’s youngest player when he made his debut in November 2017 in an EFL Trophy tie against Accrington Stanley aged 15 years, 280 days.

Weir made his Championship debut as a substitute in April 2019 against Birmingham City and also played for the Latics in the Carabao Cup against Stoke City earlier this season.

The 18-year-old has appeared for England at under-17 and under-18 level, and also played youth football for Scotland earlier in his career.

Weir's father, David, is the pathway development manager at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Technical Director Dan Ashworth said, “Jensen is an exciting young talent and we’re delighted to have brought him to the club, because there was a lot of interest in him.

“He has made a lot of progress at Wigan this season and is a player we have monitored for a while.

“We’re looking forward to working with Jensen, making him an even better player and helping him to really push on with us here at Brighton.”

The England youth international has been with Wigan since joining their academy as an eight-year-old and has made four senior appearances for Paul Cook's side.

"On and off the field, Jensen has been an outstanding academy graduate throughout his time at Wigan Athletic," said Wigan academy manager Gregor Rioch.

"From being the club's youngest ever first team player at just 15 years of age to captaining his country at youth level, he has shown outstanding promise to reach the very top level. Jensen has become a great leader and role model for other academy players to follow.

"Whilst we are going through the most difficult period of the club's history, it is well documented that the sale of Jensen will allow us time to hopefully build a new future.

"With this in mind, Jensen won't necessarily be remembered by our supporters for his few appearances on the pitch but for a vital moment towards the club's survival.

"On behalf of all the staff at the academy who have watched Jensen flourish over the years, we wish him and his family the very best of luck in their future, we are honoured and very proud to have been a part of Jensen's footballing journey."