Brighton sign Canada striker David on loan
August 18, 2026 22:43
Brighton have signed Canadian forward Promise David from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a season-long loan that includes an obligation to make the move permanent for a reported £22m. The 25-year-old joins the Seagulls after a prolific spell in Belgium.
Since arriving at Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024, David made 82 appearances and registered 41 goals and nine assists. An image caption in the source also notes he scored 24 goals as Union won their first league title in 90 years in 2024–25.
KEY CONTEXT
David began his senior career in Canada and then had spells in Croatia and the United States. He also played for two clubs in the Maltese Premier League before moving to Estonian side Nõmme Kalju and subsequently to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Internationally, he featured as a substitute in four of Canada’s five World Cup matches and scored in the 2-1 group-stage loss to Switzerland.
Brighton’s sporting director, Mike Cave, described David as a traditional centre-forward with notable physical qualities and a proven scoring record, and said his international and European experience should be an asset as he develops with the club.
WHY IT MATTERS
The signing brings a young striker with recent high-level form and European competition experience to Brighton’s squad. The club have framed the move as adding a goal-scoring option during a period when they will be balancing continental fixtures and Premier League commitments.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The loan includes an obligation to buy for a fee that has been reported as £22m; the source labels that figure as reported rather than definitive. Brighton’s next matches are the Europa Conference League play-off against Tromsø (Thursday, 18:00 BST) and the Premier League opener at Aston Villa (Sunday, 14:00) — fixtures where David could make his first appearance for the club.
KEY FACTS
- Loan deal to Brighton with an obligation to buy for a reported £22m.
- Age: 25.
- 82 appearances, 41 goals and nine assists for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise since signing in 2024.
- Scored 24 goals in 2024–25 as Union claimed their first league title in 90 years (image caption).
- Featured in four of Canada’s five World Cup matches as a substitute; scored in the 2-1 group defeat to Switzerland.