Brighton & Hove Albion drew 2-2 with Wolverhampton Wanderers in their home match in the 9th week of the English Premier League. Ferdi Kadioglu, who played for 72 minutes and attracted attention with his effective performance, was applauded by Brighton fans as he left the field. Former player Adam Virgo, who captained Brighton in the past, spoke to Spor Arena about the recent form of the 25-year-old national player.
Ferdi Kadioglu, who transferred from Fenerbahce to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion at the beginning of the season, has been impressing with his rising form. Last week, Kadioglu played a full 90 minutes in Brighton’s 1-0 away win over Newcastle United, and yesterday, he played 72 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bringing energy to both defense and offense, he received high praise from fans. Former player Adam Virgo, who played 146 games with Brighton, shared his thoughts on Kadioglu’s transfer process, performance, potential, and future at the club.
“The Transfer Fee Is a Good Price for a Fullback, but Ferdi…”
Ferdi Kadioglu, who joined Brighton from Fenerbahce for 30 million euros, became the most expensive local player transferred from Turkey to Europe. This amount also recorded the highest transfer fee in Fenerbahce’s history. Speaking about the star player’s transfer fee, the former player commented, “Although Ferdi Kadioglu is only 25, he has played a significant number of matches. He has also gained international experience by participating in major tournaments. This could be seen as a good price for a fullback. A player’s fee is always set based on the outcome when they leave the team. Brighton has a solid track record of selling its talented players for higher prices. Ferdi has the potential to reach an even higher transfer fee, but time will tell,” he evaluated.
“Being a Versatile Player Will Be an Advantage for Brighton”
Although Ferdi Kadioglu’s name was associated with teams in La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga in recent years, he chose Brighton from the Premier League at the beginning of the season and signed a 4-year contract with the English club. Touching on the transfer process, Adam Virgo expressed, “I was really pleased that Brighton managed to sign a player like Ferdi Kadioglu. With left-back Pervis Estupinan frequently injured in the last 18 months, they needed reinforcement in that position. They secured a deal with someone experienced, ready to play, and with a solid international background. Additionally, Ferdi’s versatility will be a big advantage,” he said.
“HE’S COMFORTABLE WITH THE BALL AND READS THE GAME WELL”
The national player, who can play in both full-back positions, quickly adapted to the Premier League with his speed and strong physique. The successful player, who drew attention with his performance in duels, has managed to stand his ground in all six games he has played so far. Speaking about the technical qualities and potential of the star player, former captain Virgo stated, “Ferdi is a good defender and a really solid player. Unfortunately, this is a quality that is often lost in modern fullbacks. Ferdi is comfortable with the ball and reads the game well. However, he needs to show more consistent performances for his age, which he demonstrated clearly at Fenerbahce in recent seasons,” he said.
“HE SHOWED HIS QUALITY IN THE NEWCASTLE UNITED GAME”
The young player has so far represented Brighton in six matches—five in the Premier League and one in the EFL Cup. Playing a total of 308 minutes, Kadioglu scored one goal in the EFL Cup against Wolverhampton. Evaluating the impact of the national player on the team and his recent performances, the 41-year-old former defender said, “I think Kadioglu has had a good start to the season so far. Scoring a goal, which helps you adapt more to a new environment, is always nice. His performance in the match against Newcastle United was undoubtedly the best of the season. In this game, Ferdi really showed how high his quality is by marking Newcastle’s left winger Anthony Gordon superbly,” he commented.
“HURZELER SEES HIM AS A VERY IMPORTANT PLAYER FOR THE FUTURE”
On the other hand, Brighton & Hove Albion’s coach Fabian Hurzeler expressed his happiness over the addition of the successful fullback, saying, “Ferdi is very eager to learn and improve. He has great talent, is a strong player, and is very good at passing.” Talking about the harmony between Kadioglu and coach Fabian Hurzeler, Virgo continued, “I’m sure coach Fabian Hurzeler sees Ferdi as a very important player for the future of the team. It also seems like Ferdi will now be the club’s number one fullback. This will be great for his confidence as he adapts to a new club. I’m sure coach Fabian Hurzeler will push him to improve every week. For Brighton, 30 million euros is a solid sum, so the coach will need Ferdi to perform well.”
“FERDI WEARS THE BADGE WITH PRIDE. THE FANS ARE REALLY EXCITED”
Brighton fans welcomed the successful player with a grand ceremony at Falmer Stadium at the beginning of the season, showing their affection for him. English fans praised him as “the best left-back in the Premier League” and “Ferdi Kadioglu is a star.” Speaking about the impact of Kadioglu’s recent performances on the fans, Virgo said, “Brighton fans have embraced Ferdi very well. It’s never easy to replace a player like left-back Pervis Estupinan, who was also highly loved by fans. Brighton fans want players who wear the badge with pride, and Ferdi is doing just that. I know the fans are genuinely excited about this transfer.”
“HE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FIT INTO MANCHESTER CITY, REAL MADRID, AND BAYERN MUNICH”
As the process of seeing the 25-year-old national star raise his performance and play for major European clubs is eagerly anticipated, legendary captain Adam Virgo shared his final thoughts on the fullback’s future: “I think Ferdi Kadioglu has the potential to fit into clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. Still, time will tell. Chelsea also likes to monitor and transfer Brighton players. PSG, Milan, Napoli, and Atletico Madrid could be potential future clubs for Ferdi as well.”
