Jeremy Sarmiento, the Men’s Young Player of the Season, is looking forward to building on a successful first campaign with Albion after moving to Sussex from Benfica last summer.
Starting out in Andrew Crofts’ under-23 side, he made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup tie against Swansea City in September and his Premier League debut as a substitute at home to Leeds United in November.
“It is very special,” Sarmiento, 19, said of the award. “It has been my first season with the first team and to receive this award is really good for me. I’d like to thank everyone at Brighton, the staff and the players, who have made it really easy for me. I’m hungry for more next season and I’ll be ready for any opportunities that I get.”
Our Young Players of the Season are... 🥁 @JeremySarm7ento and @MayaLeTissier! 🤩
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 9, 2022
🏆 #SYHProperties // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/wBffrQSKUh
He paid tribute to under-23 coach Crofts, “Since the day I got here he has always been very supportive,” he said. “He said ‘Keep your head down and you’ll make it,’ so that is what I’m trying to do. I’m looking forward to next season and trying to get more minutes.”
His rapid progress in the Premier League 2 side led to his call-up to the first-team, “I was delighted. Obviously the excitement gets to you and there are nerves in the game but it goes. I was over the moon really.”
Born in Spain to Ecuadorian parents, he moved to the Charlton Athletic academy and represented England at three age levels before switching to Ecuador, earning five caps for the South American nation so far.
“For Ecuador I am a regular starter,” he said. “Coming here, to adapt to the Premier League, which is a hard league, is not always easy. But I back myself with the experience I have had with Ecuador.”
His first Premier League start, away to West Ham in December, was ended by injury after 13 minutes but he made three more first-team appearances from the bench on his return.
“I have been trying to prove something and I really feel that next season will be my season. My main priority now is to maintain my fitness, get my head down and keep working.”