Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2027. Mitoma was signed by Brighton in August 2021 for €3 million from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale and has quickly become one of English football’s most impressive signings. The club is delighted to secure his future for the long term. Mitoma’s market value has also increased significantly since his debut last season, rising by €47.5m to €50m. He has been a standout performer for Brighton, with 19 league goals and assists in the last two seasons, putting him on par with bigger stars like Gabriel Jesus and Bruno Fernandes. Mitoma’s technical ability and dribbling skills have made him a threat in the Premier League, and his value reflects his impact on the team. He is now Brighton’s second most valuable player and one of their most important stars.
Mitoma’s development at Brighton has been impressive. After joining the club, he was loaned out to Belgian side Royale Union Saint Gilloise, where he excelled with 12 goals and assists in 29 games. This success translated to his performances in the Premier League, where he has continued to shine. Mitoma’s dribbling ability has been particularly noteworthy, with only four players completing more dribbles in the Premier League since his debut. His rise in value can be attributed to both his performances on the pitch and the club’s role in his recruitment and loan experiences. Brighton’s technical director, David Weir, expressed his delight at securing Mitoma’s future and praised the player’s adaptation to the Premier League and his importance to the team.
Mitoma’s impact and value growth highlight his unexpected success at Brighton. His €47.5m increase in market value since his debut is the ninth-largest in the Premier League during that time period. This achievement is even more significant considering that most of the players above him saw their values increase through big transfers, while Mitoma’s rise has been based on his performance alone. Brighton is now benefiting from having one of the league’s most valuable and important players. Mitoma’s new contract extension solidifies his commitment to the club and ensures that he will continue to be a key figure for Brighton in the coming years.
