Brighton and Hove Albion confirmed on Friday evening that birthday boy Solly March had now agreed a new contract extension keeping him at the Amex Stadium until the summer of 2022.
???? @Solly_March turned 24 today!
⚽️ The winger made his @premierleague debut for the Seagulls last season, just over six years after joining the club as a 17-year-old.#BHAFC ????⚪️ pic.twitter.com/HJVk0KE8V4
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) July 20, 2018
The 24-year-old winger put pen to paper on his new deal today and since joining the club back in 2011 from Lewes, having progressed through our Academy setup, he now has 125 first-team appearances to his name. In 2017/18 he made 36 Premier League appearances for us as we avoided the drop back to the Championship and consolidated our top-flight status. He also scored his debut top-tier goal in the tie against AFC Bournemouth back in September.
Speaking to the Official Site as his deal was announced, manager Chris Hughton explained.
“I am delighted for Solly, as he’s worked extremely hard to get to this level and thoroughly deserves his new deal. He’s proved an important member of the squad in recent seasons, and despite being relatively young, Solly has collected a good amount of experience this early in his career. With our second Premier League season just around the corner, it’s great for Solly to commit his future to the club and now he can fully focus on the campaign ahead.”
???? Any ideas for what to get @SollyMarch for his birthday today?
???? What about a new contract?#BHAFC ????⚪️ pic.twitter.com/5VSXDS73kx
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) July 20, 2018
March is now our second longest-serving member of the first-team.
Speaking himself about the new contract, he added.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present. It’s nice to know that I’ve got another four years at the club, and now I can knuckle down and get going again. I don’t need to worry about anything and I can just focus on playing football. It’s nice to play for my local club – I was born and raised in Sussex, so it makes it that extra bit special. Our aim is to stay in the Premier League again, and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.”
We all already know he's signed a new contract #bhafc it's old news now
— James Gale (@JamesGale21) July 20, 2018
Marchhh ????????.
— March (@Marchoooi) July 20, 2018
????????????????????????????
— Joeeeeeeeeeey????⚪️ (@Sayers3011) July 20, 2018
???????????????????????? Another great piece of business for the club. Just as important to retain top quality players as well as signing them on transfer fees. Well done Solly ????⚪️⚽️ #bhafc
— ????????Chris G???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@Obi77BHA) July 20, 2018
Much respect Solly – good on you mate. Seagulls forever!
— Simon Lamkin (@lammyjet) July 20, 2018
Happy Birthday @Solly_March and what a present by the club pic.twitter.com/ImhhbyIQvD
— Sam Peters (@SamPeters_BHAFC) July 20, 2018
Great news! Thoroughly deserved – what a talent.
— MrGreenall (@MrGreenall_TSLA) July 20, 2018
Happy Birthday Solly!!!!! ????
— Gerry2609 (@GerryS2609) July 20, 2018