Brighton midfielder Mitoma signs new contract

Kaoru Mitoma has signed a new four-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, keeping him at the club until June 2027.

The 26-year-old midfielder played a key role in his debut season as Brighton secured their highest ever league finish in 2022/23, ending the campaign in sixth to qualify for Europe for the first time.

Mitoma's seven Premier League goals is the most by a Japanese player in the competition in a single season, beating the previous record of six jointly held by Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa.

He is also the first Japanese player to win a Premier League monthly award after claiming August 2023's Budweiser Goal of the Month.

See: Mitoma: Goal at Wolves is my favourite

The Japan international has also enjoyed a strong start to the 2023/24 season, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

Seagulls head coach Roberto De Zerbi is delighted that Mitoma has extended his stay on the south coast, telling the club's official website: "It’s great news. Kaoru is our top player.”

Brighton technical director David Weir also spoke about the importance of the new deal, saying: “Ensuring that a player of Kaoru’s quality will remain with us for the long term is fantastic news. 

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“Kaoru adapted to the Premier League last season and has quickly become one of our most important players.

“His success is also a reflection of the work of the departments that have played a role in his recruitment, helped him gain important experience on loan and ultimately become a big part of Roberto’s first-team group."

Mitoma and his Brighton team-mates will next be in Premier League action at champions Manchester City on Saturday.