Brighton & Hove Albion have officially completed the signing of Algerian international defender Jaouen Hadjam. The Premier League club announced the deal, which brings the 23-year-old left-back from Swiss champions Young Boys, on Tuesday, August 25.
Hadjam arrives in England with significant international pedigree, having been a key participant for Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move comes as the national team currently sits third in their World Cup group with 4 points from 3 games, having scored 5 goals and conceded 7.
Jaouen Hadjam is a Paris-born left-back with a diverse footballing background. He previously represented France at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Algeria in 2023. Since then, he has earned 21 caps for the Desert Warriors. His professional career began in the Paris St Germain youth academy, followed by a move to Ligue 1 side Nantes before joining Young Boys in 2024. During his time with the Swiss champions, he made 98 appearances across all competitions.
Securing Hadjam represents a long-term investment for Brighton, with the player signing a contract that runs until the summer of 2031. The transfer fee remains undisclosed. The signing follows a strong start to Brighton's domestic campaign, a 4-0 victory over Europa League holders Aston Villa on Sunday. Brighton aims to bolster its defensive line with a player seasoned in world-class competition.
Hadjam's move to one of the world's top leagues is positive news for the Algerian national team as their 2026 World Cup journey continues. The team's recent form has been a concern, with a 2-0 loss to Switzerland on July 3rd. Their record in the last five matches shows the need for consistency, with one win, two draws, and two losses (LDDWL).
The Algerian squad faces a 5-point gap to group leaders Argentina in the World Cup, making every upcoming match critical. The manager relies on players like Hadjam gaining experience at high-level European clubs to strengthen the team's prospects. Fans can follow the group standings closely on our standings page. Hadjam's transfer to Brighton provides an ideal platform for his development ahead of key fixtures.
Hadjam featured for Algeria at the 2026 World Cup, specifically in the Group J match against Austria on June 27 at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri, USA. This competitive context is what Brighton hopes to harness. The national team now looks to regain momentum in the global tournament, relying on a more robust defense featuring players active in top leagues.
