The Ireland striker is in Italy to complete the formalities of his summer transfer, with Brighton and Roma having agreed terms for the season-loan move following negotiations over the past two weeks, which includes an option to buy Ferguson for €40m.
He received a huge welcome arriving at Ciampino airport as Roma fans flocked to catch a glimpse of their new man, with many singing “Ole, Ole, Ole, Evan, Evan” as he signed autographs and posed for photos.
The 20-year-old wasn’t able to break into Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton team after returning from ankle surgery at the start of last season. The Meath native started just twice for the Seagulls last term, scoring once, before departing for a half-season loan spell with West Ham in February, where he linked up with former boss Graham Potter.
But the move to London proved deeply frustrating for the forward as he started just once for the Hammers, and played just 14 minutes of football off the bench across the final eight games of last season.
Now, Ferguson has opted for a fresh start in Italy where he’ll look to get back to playing regular football and rediscover his form, particularly with Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers kicking off in less than seven weeks’ time.
Speaking from their pre-season camp in Spain this weekend, Hurzeler opened up on Ferguson’s loan move to Italy and insists the door remains open for him at the Seagulls.
“For us, it is always important that the individual player has an environment where they can develop,” said the Brighton boss.
“We decided the loan was the best option (but) Evan is still a player of us. He still brings us quality with him. He is a target player and I am sure when he gets more game-time he will one day be back and be an important player for us.”
Three-time league winners Roma finished fifth in last season’s Serie A campaign under Claudio Ranieri, while ex-Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini took the reins last month on a three-year contract.
The club’s next pre-season outing is against FC Kaiserslautern in Germany on Saturday July 26, while Ferguson is set to return to England next month as Roma face Aston Villa and Everton in friendlies. Roma’s new league season gets underway at home to Bologna on August 23.