With more then 40 players registered on the club’s books, Albion regualry looks to make use of short-term deals for their fringe players to get some experience and minutes on the pitch for another side.
This has been used successfully in the past. Players such as Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Karou Mitoma all spent time out on loan before being brought into the Sussex side.
Speaking about the importance of the loan system, technical director David Weir: “Every player has a plan and football changes every day, so that plan can also change every day. We are not a club that is going to buy Premier League ready players. Our model is buying a little bit early and developing them. Sometimes those loans are the best way of doing that.
“We are a club that gives young players the opportunity to play in the Premier League. But that is not the pathway for everyone. Some players need a step in between.”
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The 11 loan players were distributed across six countries during this campaign and SussexWorld has ranked each one out of ten based on their performances for their new sides over the past ten months.
1. Taylor Richards (QPR) - 4/10
The academy graduate is still finding his feet in the professional game and failed to make an impact whilst out on loan at the Rs. Despite this, the midfielder has agreed a move to Loftus Road on a permanent basis from the start of next season. Photo: Ashley Allen
2. Aaron Connolly (Venezia/Hull - 4/10)
The colourful centre forward had a torrid start to this season whilst playing for Venezia in Italy, returning home in January before quickly finding himself a part of the Hull City setup. A brace against QPR saved him from finishing the campaign with no goals, but it was certainly a year to forget for the young Irish striker. Photo: Gareth Copley
3. Haydon Roberts (Derby County) - 5/10
Derby loans manager Gordon Greer described the promising winger's season as a 'mixed bag', which is to be expected for a 20-years-old first full season in men's football, especially a physical division such as League One. Is unlikely to be a Brighton player next season, but will likely find himself a deal with another EFL club. Photo: Malcolm Couzens
4. Michal Karbownik (Fortuna Duesseldorf) - 6/10
The full-back has still not shown enough to suggest he will ever be good enough to play for Brighton. But he still had a respectable season in Germany, as Dusseldorf disappointingly missed out on promotion to the Bundesliga. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos