Solly March signs new four year Brighton deal
Solly March has signed a new four year deal with Brighton and Hove Albion, tying him to the club until the summer of 2022.
The winger has become a key part of the Albion squad since being promoted from the development side in 2013. He remains the last player to progress through the youth system to become a regular.
March made his debut under Oscar Garcia in August 2013. He went onto play 28 times that season as the Albion suffered their annual Championship play off semi final heartache, on this occasion to Derby County.
He has racked up a further 98 appearances for a total of 126 games, scoring nine times along the way.
March made a good start to life in the Premier League. His first goal arrived away at Plucky Little Bournemouth just five games into the season. In September, he was voted our WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month/a>.
Life got a little harder after that as Chris Hughton preferred to use Anthony Knockaert and Jose Izquierdo as his wingers. As a result, March ended up making as many appearances from the bench as starts, 18 of each for a grand total of 36 outings last term.
Iranian winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s potential arrival could limit his chances next season further still.
March is not without his admirers however. Southampton have long been rumoured to have an interest in him. Everton have been linked with a move this summer. In January, Middlesbrough were said to be preparing a bid. There has also been reported interest from Burnley and Newcastle United.
Despite his struggles, tying March down to a new contract looks like good business. Should he have another lacklustre campaign and end up surplus to requirements, a new contract ensures that Albion should get the possible deal if it came to selling him. He would have no shortage of Championship suitors.
Conversely, should he rediscover his form of the early part of last season then this new deal means the Albion have protected one of their biggest assets. It should also ensure a bumper fee should the likes of Everton come calling again.
