The 19 year old winger, of Nigerian and Ghanaian heritage, is rewarded with fresh terms after a standout season that culminated in his top-flight bow.
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Brighton and Hove Albion have handed winger Nehemiah Oriola a new contract that runs until June 2029, the club confirmed in a statement on their official website on Wednesday.
Oriola, born in England to a Nigerian father and Ghanaian mother, joined Brighton’s academy from Manchester United in 2023 after previously coming through spells at West Ham and United’s youth setups. He made his senior breakthrough last November, coming off the bench to make his Premier League debut under head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
A Breakout Season At Under-21 Level
The 19 year old’s rise accelerated through Brighton’s Premier League 2 side, where he made his bow for the under 21s in March 2025. He went on to score eight goals and provide four assists in the league last season as Brighton’s young side won both the Premier League 2 title and the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens.
Brighton technical director Mike Cave praised Oriola’s development, saying the winger has continued to progress and impress during his time at the club, a trajectory that led to his first team debut last season. Cave added that the club holds high expectations for Oriola’s future and is looking forward to supporting his continued growth.
A Nigerian Talent To Track
Oriola’s dual heritage, with a Nigerian father and Ghanaian mother, places him among a growing group of young English born players eligible to represent Nigeria at senior level should the NFF’s scouting network come calling in the years ahead. For now, his focus stays on breaking into Brighton’s first team picture on the back of a new long term deal.
📌 Did You Know?
- Oriola came through both West Ham’s and Manchester United’s academy systems before joining Brighton in 2023.
- Brighton’s Premier League 2 side won both the league title and the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens during Oriola’s breakout campaign.
- Oriola made his Premier League debut under head coach Fabian Hurzeler in November 2025.
- Brighton has built a reputation in recent years for developing academy talent into first-team and transfer assets.
- A contract running to June 2029 signals significant long-term confidence in a player who only debuted at senior level last season.
- Players of dual Nigerian heritage developing in English academies remain a frequent talking point for NFF scouts assessing future eligibility targets.
