"I hope Brighton saw my game and my goal" - January signing sends stunning message to Graham Potter

Brighton & Hove Albion's winter signing Deniz Undav struck a stunning late winner for loan club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise as the Belgian outfit continued their charge towards the Jupiler Pro League title.

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

With just five minutes to go, the 25-year-old thumped a dipping 20-yards shot past the KV Kortijk keeper from 20-yards to secure a vital 3-2 win for Union on Saturday.

The German's goal saw Les Unionistes, who are bidding for their first Belgian championship in 87 years, maintain their seven point lead at the top of the Jupiler Pro League.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

READ THIS: Deniz Undav, Reda Khadra and FIVE Brighton loan players with realistic hopes of making Graham Potter's 2022-23 first team.

The Seagulls completed a £6m deal for Undav from the Brussels-based club, who are co-owned by Albion chairman Tony Bloom, on January 31.

The striker signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Amex, but was sent back on loan to Union for the remainder of the campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Saturday's goal took Undav's domestic goal tally for the season to 21, more than the likes of Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, Liverpool's Mo Salah and Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland.

Deniz Undav (centre) celebrates his stunning late goal during Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's vital win at KV Kortijk. Picture by Kurt Desplenter/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty ImagesDeniz Undav (centre) celebrates his stunning late goal during Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's vital win at KV Kortijk. Picture by Kurt Desplenter/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
Deniz Undav (centre) celebrates his stunning late goal during Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's vital win at KV Kortijk. Picture by Kurt Desplenter/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

Undav's goalscoring exploits are in stark contrast to Brighton's. Albion have scored a combined total of 25 goals this campaign, while the Seagulls' top scorer in 2021-22, Neal Maupay, has netted eight times.

Speaking to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Undav said his red hot form had left him brimming with confidence and he was relishing the prospect of scoring spectacular goals in the Premier League with Brighton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “[Was it] a lucky goal? I don't think so. Some have said that I need to get play out of the box more, and now I have.

"The ball bounced a bit, and that helped me. I shot, but at first thought the ball would go over [the bar]. But then it kept falling and flew into the net.

"You have to have confidence to shoot from such a position, but I have that confidence. If your season is going well, you sometimes have luck on your side.

"In Germany I scored a nicer one. But this goal tastes extra sweet because the supporters booed me and I like that. I like to play away from home because the supporters are against us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“What would it be like if I scored a goal like that in the Premier League? It would be more fun.

"These kinds of goals are always fun. Wherever you score them. But of course I hope Brighton saw my game and my goal."

For the latest breaking news where you live in Sussex, follow us on Twitter @Sussex_World and like us on Facebook @SussexWorldUK.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.