Valentin Joseph looks to push on after making U21s debut

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Striker joined from Blackburn Rovers in July with a goalscoring reputation.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-10-06T06:00+01:00

Valentin Joseph holds off his marker on his Albion debut in the Sussex Senior Cup. 📷Simon Roe

Albion men’s under-21 striker Valentin Joseph played his first full 90 minutes for the club in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup tie away to Haywards Heath Town last week.

And although the tall, powerful Mancunian was not happy to be on the wrong side of a 2-0 defeat, he revealed afterwards that he is adapting well to life in Sussex.

“I'm settling in very well,” he said. “All the boys made me feel welcome and I'm just happy to be here now, finally playing.”

Joseph, 18, joined Albion from Blackburn Rovers on 1 July and scored his first Albion goal in the under-21s’ 5-1 defeat away to Liverpool – the club he supported as a boy despite his Manchester roots.

“There were a number of clubs that were in for me,’ he said. ‘I felt like it was the right decision to come. I came here because I know I could develop here as a player.

“I feel like the pathway here is better and I felt like I could develop more here as a player technically.

Valentin Joseph scored his first PL2 goal against Liverpool. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

“It's more detailed tactically and on the ball. I was around the first team [at Blackburn, where he was an unused substitute in two Championship games] but I haven't made my debut yet so hopefully I can make my debut here.

“They promised me that I'd become better. They promised me that if I came here and put my head down, I'll get opportunities with the first team. And I'm just waiting to get my opportunity.”

He made a name for himself in last season’s FA Youth Cup. He was the competition’s top scorer with nine goals as Rovers advanced to the semi-finals. He hopes to bring his new club ‘pace, power and goals.’

“I had a good campaign last season in the Youth Cup and I really enjoyed it as well,’ he said. ‘I feel like after I score one, it keeps going. Goals keep flooding in. For a striker, I feel like confidence is real. It helps a striker to be the best.”

And, like all true goalscorers, he feels a win is always better if he has found the net. “Obviously we want to win, but as a striker, you have to be selfish if you want to be the best. So, yeah, it's very important to get goals for the team.”

George Munday, 19, signed from Cambridge United, brings a similar threat to opposing defences. ‘Valentin was just a little bit behind George in terms of his fitness when he joined us,” under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth explained.

“I'm delighted that he got that first 90 minutes under his belt and was unlucky not to have a goal or two.

“They've got some really good attributes, both really good profiles. So I'm sure once we can get them playing together, they'll certainly be a handful for somebody.”