Florin Andone departing Brighton on loan for Galatasaray makes perfect sense

According to Sky Sports, Brighton striker Florin Andone has joined Turkish champions Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal. 

The same report suggests that the Seagulls have inserted a recall clause in the agreement, which would enable them to bring the 26-year-old back to the English south coast midway through the campaign in January. 

Andone bagged 18 goals in 69 appearances for Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna before making his move to the Amex Stadium last summer on a five-year deal. 

The Romanian international only played a bit-part role in his first season at the club under former manager Chris Hughton, scoring thrice in the Premier League in 23 appearances, only 8 of which were starts. 

Andone did, however, manage to get the crowd off his feet on a few occasions in the Premier League last season, scoring spectacular goals in back-to-back victories over Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace back in December, whilst also managing to find the net in the reverse fixture against the Terriers.

The 26-year-old scored in Brighton’s 3-0 victory over Watford on the opening day of the ongoing season but a red card for a horrible studs-up challenge on Yan Valery in his first start against Southampton spoiled a promising start to the campaign. 

The Romanian, though, isn’t the only attacker to be loaned out by the Seagulls this summer. Andone’s departure to Turkey comes just a few days after Dutch striker Jurgen Locadia was shipped out on loan to German side Hoffenheim. 

To put things into perspective, it is easy to see why the 26-cap Romanian international was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Graham Potter. Andone was not amongst the regular starters at the club last season and things were likely to go down the same path had he chosen to stay put this term. 

Despite showcasing his ability to turn games around with moments of pure magic last season, Andone apparently lacked the consistency to deliver the goods every week in a highly-competitive league, such as the Premier League. 

The departure of Locadia and Andone has left a void in Brighton’s attack but the Seagulls seemingly have enough depth and firepower in their ranks to do without the services of two mediocre performers from the previous campaign, unless, of course, Potter faces an unexpected injury crisis later in the season. 

New signings Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard have already hit the ground running in the Premier League, while Solly March, Aaron Connolly, Jose Izquierdo, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Pascal Gross are all capable of playing in multiple positions in the midfield, as well as upfront, as a part of the forward line. Not to forget the evergreen Glen Murray, who was Brighton’s top scorer last term.

Looking at things from the player’s perspective, Andone might be able to stake a claim for a regular starting role at Brighton under Potter if he manages to impress on his loan spell in Turkey.

Galatasaray, of course, are a big club and the Romanian should be thrilled with the prospect of playing in the Champions League. 

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With that in mind, this loan move looks like a fair settlement for all parties involved and the Seagulls would hardly lament the 26-year-old’s departure if their new signings continue to make an impact later on in the season.