Brighton sign Austria defender Svoboda from Venezia

Brighton have signed Austria defender Michael Svoboda from Serie B champions Venezia on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old centre-back is with Austria at the World Cup and will join up with Fabian Hurzeler's squad later this summer.

Svoboda captained Venezia to the Serie B title last season, with Brighton head coach Hurzeler describing him as a player capable of strengthening the Seagulls both in and out of possession.

"Michael has enjoyed a fantastic season with Venezia, captaining them to the league title," Hurzeler said.

"He has a number of attributes that we believe will see him adapt well to how we play, both in and out of possession.

"He also adds competition to an area we are looking to strengthen and with a number of clubs pursuing him this summer, I am very happy that he's decided to come to Brighton."

Svoboda began his career in Austria with Schwechat before joining WSG Tirol, where he helped the club win promotion to the Austrian Bundesliga.

He moved to Venezia in 2020 and earned promotion to Serie A twice, in 2021 and again last season, making his Austria debut in October 2024 and winning four international caps.

The defender becomes Brighton's fifth signing in preparation for the 2026-27 campaign following the arrivals of teenage winger Zadok Yohanna from AIK, Leeds United centre-back Pascal Struijk, Olympiakos full-back Costinha and Benfica winger Rodrigo Rego.

Brighton have also agreed a club record £46m deal with Tottenham for Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic as they reshape their defence following the £52m sale of Jan Paul van Hecke to Spurs.

The Seagulls signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda for £1.8m in 2020 and negotiated a 20% sell-on clause as part of the deal, before moving to bring in Vuskovic and Svoboda.