Former Nigeria U-23 striker Promise David joins Brighton on loan

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of former Nigeria U-23 international Promise David from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a season-long loan.

The deal, announced by Brighton on their official website, includes an obligation to make the transfer permanent if certain conditions are met.

Should those conditions be fulfilled, David’s permanent move to the Seagulls would reportedly represent a new club-record transfer fee for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Born in Brampton, Ontario, the 25-year-old previously represented Nigeria at the U-23 level, earning two caps for the Olympic Eagles before switching his international allegiance to Canada.

Brighton confirmed the move after the necessary regulatory processes were completed, with sporting director Mike Cave describing David as a striker the club had monitored for some time.

“Promise is someone we have been watching for some time. He is an out-and-out striker who possesses outstanding physical attributes and a track record of scoring goals,” Cave said.

“His experience at the international level and in European competition will hopefully prove valuable this season.

“At 25, he’s entering his prime playing years, and we’re excited to see him continue to develop in our environment.”

David arrives at Brighton following an impressive rise that has seen him establish himself as one of Union SG’s most important attacking players.

After beginning his youth career in Canada, Croatia, and the United States, the striker moved to Malta in 2022, joining Valletta before later switching to Sirens, another Maltese Premier League club.

He subsequently moved to Estonia, where he made a major impression with Nomme Kalju. His 30 goals in 44 first-team league appearances attracted the attention of Union SG, who signed him in 2024.

David immediately made an impact in Belgium, scoring 24 goals and helping Union SG end a 90-year wait for the Belgian league title. He scored eight times during the championship play-offs as the club secured the historic triumph.

Across his two seasons with the Belgian side, David made 82 appearances, scoring 41 goals and providing nine assists.

He also enjoyed memorable moments on the European stage, scoring Union SG’s first-ever Champions League goal in a 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven last season before finding the net again in a crucial win over Galatasaray.

During his time in Belgium, David won four trophies, including the 2024 and 2026 Belgian Super Cups, the 2024/25 Belgian league title and the 2025/26 Belgian Cup.

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His performances at the club level also helped establish him in the Canadian national team after he switched allegiance from Nigeria.

David has now made 14 appearances for Canada, scoring four goals, including at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At the tournament, he provided an assist in Canada’s group-stage meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina before scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland.

The move to Brighton now presents David with the biggest challenge of his club career as he looks to translate his prolific form in Belgium to the Premier League and compete for a place in Fabian Hürzeler’s squad.

For the former Nigeria U-23 striker, the loan move represents another major step in a remarkable rise from Malta and Estonia to Belgian champion, Champions League goalscorer and now Premier League football.