'Disappointed' - Tottenham swoop on Brighton again as key man exits

All the latest news from Brighton and Hove Albion and across the Premier League

Sign up to our Brighton and Hove Albion FC newsletter

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to SussexWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Andrew Crofts has left his position as assistant head coach at Brighton to take up a coaching role with Tottenham Hotspur.

Albion and Spurs have agreed upon a compensation package for Crofts’ services and he will now team-up with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi in north London.

The two clubs have conducted plenty of business this summer. Earlier this window Jan Paul van Hecke moved to Spurs for £52m and Luka Vuskovic went in the opposite direction to Brighton for £50m.

Crofts: A special place

Crofts said, “I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion. This club will always hold a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of my family.

"I’m incredibly grateful to Tony Bloom and Paul Barber for the trust, faith and support they’ve shown in me throughout my time here.

“I want to give a special mention to Fabian, it’s been a privilege to work alongside him. My thanks also goes to all the players and staff I’ve shared this journey with, including the unforgettable achievements of the European qualifications we made possible together.

“Finally, thank you to the fans for their passion and support. Brighton will forever mean a great deal to me.”

A fresh opportunity for Crofts

Sporting director Mike Cave said, “Andrew has been a fantastic member of the coaching staff in both our men’s first team and the boys’ academy, adding a huge amount of value to every role he has undertaken.

“While we are disappointed to see him leave, we understand that this is a fresh opportunity for him to challenge himself in a new environment.

“He is a great example of the pathway at the club for both our players and staff. We wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Hurzeler: I learnt a lot from Crofts

Hurzeler added, “Crofty has been really important for me both on the training pitch and off it, given his strong connection to Brighton.

“The club has a well-known pathway for up-and-coming players, but he is a great example of the coaching pathway we have here too.

“It’s a credit to him that every time he has been presented with an opportunity he has taken it and I know that not only I, but also my coaching staff, have learnt a lot from him. I wish him good luck.”

Ex-Brighton midfielder

The former midfielder - who made 125 appearances for Albion - rejoined the club as under-21s player-coach in 2019, going on to become under-21s head coach.

He was placed in interim charge of the men’s first team following the departure of Graham Potter, before earning himself a permanent position in the first-team coaching staff under now-Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi.

He was promoted to assistant head coach to Hurzeler in August 2024.