Club news

Goldson's Albion Journey

By Kieran Cleeves • 13 June 2018

Connor Goldson signed for Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2015 from Shrewsbury Town, as Chris Hughton made a number of signings ahead of the 2015/16 Sky Bet Championship season.

The central defender had to settle for a place on Albion’s bench for the opening half of the campaign, but injury to Uwe Huenemeier against Middlesbrough led to his long-awaited debut.

Goldson’s first start for the Seagulls came at the end of December against Ipswich Town at the Amex Stadium, but the visitors sealed a 1-0 victory to dent Albion’s promotion hopes.

Another defeat followed against Wolverhampton Wanderers, before Goldson returned to the bench against Rotherham United - but the defender went on to play every minute of Albion’s 20 remaining games - a streak which included just one defeat.

Goldson’s first goal in an Albion shirt came against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s, before also finding the back of the net in a 4-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers at the Amex.

The 2015/16 season ended in double disappointment for Goldson, as Albion missed out on promotion against Middlesbrough, before the defender went off injured in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals against Sheffield Wednesday.

Goldson’s following season included just five league appearances, as he competed against first-choice central defenders Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy.

But Goldson helped the Seagulls to four victories in those games, including three clean sheets, as Hughton’s men charged towards promotion and clinched their place in the Premier League for the 2017/18 campaign.

However, the defender’s season took an unexpected turn in February when he had preventative surgery after a routine screening uncovered “a possible risk factor”.

After months out, Goldson made a full recovery and returned for the Seagulls during their pre-season visit to Austria, before making his Premier League debut against Watford in December 2017.

Goldson’s final appearance for the Seagulls came against Liverpool at Anfield on the final day of the Premier League season, as he entered the field as a second-half substitute.