Brighton & Hove Albion have strengthened their attacking options by bringing in Canada international David from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The move is initially a season-long loan, though it comes with an obligation to make the transfer permanent for a fee reported at around £22m.
The 25-year-old forward built an impressive scoring record during his time in Belgium, netting 41 goals and adding nine assists across 82 appearances since joining the club in 2024. His performances there caught the attention of several clubs, with Brighton ultimately winning the race for his signature.
David's career path to the Amex Stadium has taken him through several countries and leagues. He began playing professionally in his native Canada before spells in Croatia and the United States. His journey then took him to Malta, where he turned out for two different clubs in the Maltese Premier League, followed by a stint at Estonian outfit Nomme Kalju. It was his move to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise that proved the springboard to a bigger stage, with his goal-scoring exploits there earning him this switch to the Premier League.
On the international front, David has represented Canada at the highest level, appearing in four of his country's five matches at the World Cup, each time coming on as a substitute. Among his contributions was a goal in a 2-1 group-stage loss to Switzerland, underlining his ability to make an impact even in short spells on the pitch.
Brighton's sporting director Mike Cave explained the thinking behind the acquisition, describing David as a long-tracked target for the club. "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. He added that David's exposure to both international football and European club competition should benefit the team going forward. "His experience at 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," Cave said.
The timing of the deal means David could be involved in Brighton's squad almost immediately as the club enters a busy period of fixtures. The Seagulls are set to face Norwegian side Tromso in the Europa Conference League play-off round, with that match scheduled for Thursday evening. Just days later, Brighton will open their Premier League campaign away at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
The addition of David gives Brighton manager an experienced, physically imposing option up front as the club looks to compete on multiple fronts this season, balancing domestic league ambitions with continental competition. His versatility, having adapted to different footballing cultures and leagues throughout his career, is seen as an asset that could help him settle quickly into English football.
With the obligation-to-buy clause in place, the move effectively represents a long-term commitment from Brighton, who clearly view the Canadian international as a key part of their squad-building strategy both for the immediate future and beyond. Fans will now be eager to see how quickly David can translate his prolific Belgian form into results on the Premier League stage, starting with what promises to be a challenging test against Aston Villa.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.