Club news

Albion Sign Brazilian Defender

By Alex Stedman • 05 July 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion have agreed to sign RB Leipzig defender Bernardo Fernandes da Silva Junior for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old Brazilian full-back, known simply as Bernardo, becomes the club’s fourth first team signing of the summer and joins on a four-year deal.

Albion manager Chris Hughton said, “We’re delighted to welcome Bernardo to the club. He is a strong, committed defender who can play on the left or right, and so his versatility gives us good options at the back. 

“For a young player he already has good experience, having played in the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the Europa League.

“He is a good character and speaks numerous languages, and I’m sure he will fit in well with the rest of the squad.” 

Bernardo was born in Sao Paulo and began his career at Audax Sao Paulo before moving to Red Bull Brasil in 2012. 

He then joined Red Bull Salzburg at the start of 2016, making 13 appearances in the latter half of the campaign as the Austrian side successfully defended their league title. 

Bernardo switched to RB Leipzig in Germany that summer and went on to make 49 appearances for the Bundesliga side over the last two seasons, including three in the Champions League and five in the Europa League.

Bernardo’s father, Bernardo Fernandes da Silva, played over 300 league games in Brazil for Sao Paulo, Santos and Corinthians, and four for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He also represented the Brazilian national side 19 times.