Diego Gomez signs five-year deal with Brighton & Hove Albion
Synopsis
Diego Gomez arrived from Inter Miami 18 months ago having played alongside Lionel Messi — now Brighton have tied the 23-year-old Paraguay World Cup midfielder down for five more years. His Carabao Cup golden boot and a 6-0 demolition of Barnsley made the contract a formality; the real question is whether he can replicate that form on the European stage this season.
Key Takeaways
Diego Gomez , 23, has signed a five-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion , with an option for a sixth year.
Gomez joined Brighton from Inter Miami in January 2025 after 18 months in MLS, where he played alongside Lionel Messi .
He scored 10 goals across all competitions in 2025-26 , finishing as the Carabao Cup's leading scorer with five goals.
The midfielder has made 56 appearances and scored 11 goals for Brighton in total.
Gomez was part of Paraguay's squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup , having made his senior debut in 2022 .
Brighton next face Tromso in the Europa Conference League play-off first leg on Thursday.
Paraguay international Diego Gomez has signed a new five-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, securing the 23-year-old midfielder's long-term future at the Amex Stadium. The agreement, announced on 14 August, also includes an option for an additional year, tying Gomez to the Premier League club well into the decade.
What the Contract Means for Brighton
The deal rewards Gomez for a rapid rise since his arrival in England and comes as Brighton prepare for a new Premier League campaign alongside a return to European competition. The club's sporting director Mike Cave described the signing as a significant step in securing the squad's core.
'Diego has been an important player for us since his arrival, and we're pleased to have secured his long-term future,' Cave said. 'He has adapted to Premier League football seamlessly and embedded himself as a key player in the squad. We believe Diego will continue to develop and be an important player for us in achieving our goals this season and beyond.'
Gomez's Rise: From Libertad to the Premier League
Gomez began his career in the youth ranks at Paraguayan club Libertad, making 52 senior appearances before moving to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami in 2023. During his 18 months in Miami, he played alongside global superstar Lionel Messi and won the Leagues Cup. Brighton brought him to England in January 2025.
Since arriving at the Amex, Gomez has made 56 appearances for Brighton and scored 11 goals, establishing himself as a key figure under head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
A Breakout 2025-26 Season
The 2025-26 season was Gomez's most productive to date. He scored 10 goals across all competitions, with five coming in the Carabao Cup — enough to make him the tournament's leading scorer. Four of his goals arrived in a single outing during Brighton's emphatic 6-0 win away to Barnsley. Notably, this output marked a sharp upward trajectory for a player who had only just completed his first full English season.
International Pedigree and World Cup Experience
Beyond club football, Gomez has cemented his place in the Paraguay national setup. He made his senior international debut in 2022 and was part of Paraguay's squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding significant tournament experience to his profile at just 23.
What's Next for Brighton
Brighton face Bologna in their final pre-season fixture at the Amex on Saturday before travelling to Norway to take on Tromso in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off on Thursday. With Gomez now locked in long-term, the club's European ambitions have a firmer foundation heading into the new campaign.
Point of View
Not just squad management. The club have identified a player who arrived relatively unheralded from MLS and turned him into a European competition asset within 18 months — that is the Brighton model working at its best. The Carabao Cup leading-scorer tag is a curiosity, but his ability to contribute across competitions is what justifies the length of the deal. The real test comes in the Conference League, where his output against higher-calibre defences will determine whether this contract looks prescient or premature.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Diego Gomez's new contract with Brighton?
Diego Gomez has signed a five-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, with the agreement also including an option for an additional year. The deal was announced on 14 August.
Where did Diego Gomez play before joining Brighton?
Gomez developed through the youth ranks at Paraguayan club Libertad before moving to Inter Miami in MLS in 2023. He spent 18 months in Miami, playing alongside Lionel Messi, before Brighton signed him in January 2025.
How many goals did Diego Gomez score in the 2025-26 season?
Gomez scored 10 goals across all competitions in 2025-26. Five came in the Carabao Cup, making him the competition's leading scorer, while four were scored in Brighton's 6-0 win over Barnsley.
Has Diego Gomez played international football?
Yes, Gomez made his senior debut for Paraguay in 2022 and was part of the country's squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving him significant international tournament experience at just 23.
What are Brighton's next fixtures?
Brighton face Bologna in a pre-season fixture at the Amex on Saturday, then travel to Norway to play Tromso in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off on Thursday.
