Canadian striker Promise David joins Premier League’s Brighton on season-long loan

BRIGHTON — Promise David is heading to the Premier League.

Brighton & Hove Albion announced Tuesday that it has signed the Canadian striker on a season-long loan from Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise.

The deal includes an obligation to buy for a reported fee of US$29.7 million if certain undisclosed criteria are met.

Union, meanwhile, said David will play in the Premier League “from the next season onwards” for a record fee for the Belgian club.

David joins Brighton after two seasons at Union, where he scored 41 goals in 82 matches and helped the club win its first league title in 90 years in 2025. He signed a contract extension through June 2029 last year.

The 25-year-old represented Canada at this past summer’s World Cup, scoring one goal in limited action off the bench while recovering from a hip injury. He has four goals in 14 appearances for the senior national team.

Born in Brampton, Ont., to Nigerian parents, David made his debut for Nigeria’s under-23 side in October 2022. But in February 2025, after talks with Canada coach Jesse Marsch, his request to switch allegiance was approved by FIFA.

Brighton is the latest stop in David’s well-travelled career. He played professionally in Croatia, Malta and Estonia before moving to Belgium in July 2024.

“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,” Brighton sporting director Mike Cave said in a statement. “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.”

Brighton, which has played in England’s top flight for nine consecutive seasons, finished eighth in the Premier League last season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2026.

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