'Ole, ole, ole, Evan, Evan...' Hero's welcome for Ferguson as he arrives in Italy on loan to Serie A's AS Roma

Republic of Ireland striker and Bettystown native Evan Ferguson landed in Italy on Sunday evening to complete a loan move to Serie A giants Roma from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 2023-23 Brighton Young Player of the Year burst onto the scene for the Seagulls and scored 10 goals in 25 appearances that season.

Since then, Ferguson's career at the Amex has plateaued with a short spell at West Ham in the second half of last season falling disappointingly flat.

Ferguson has made 22 appearances for the Republic of Ireland senior team and has scored five goals. He scored his first competitive goal for Ireland during a 3–0 victory over Gibraltar in the Aviva stadium in a Euro 2024 qualifier. Ferguson headed home the solitary goal in the Nations League 1–0 win over Finland which was Ireland's first home win under Heimir Hallgrímsson.

There had been talks of a move to Roma for a while now but reportedly, the sides could not reach an agreement on a transfer fee should the Italians wish to sign Ferguson permanently.

A compromise has now been reached, and the 20-year-old arrived at Ciampino Airport on Sunday to complete his medical, where he was welcomed by roughly a hundred Roma fans. Roma finished fifth in the league last season under Claudio Ranieri, who was subsequently replaced by former Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.