Brighton Women finished ninth in the FA WSL table last season, so the Seagulls are intent on climbing higher up the table and forming a project capable of finishing in the top half of the league.
They are off to a strong start this summer, as they have signed two big names from Chelsea in England legend Fran Kirby and experienced midfielder Jelena Cankovic.
Both Cankovic and Kirby should bring plenty of technical quality, star power, experience, and attacking flair to a Brighton side that could use a few more difference-makers in a playmaking capacity.
And now, Brighton have adde a younger, less established player with plenty of upside to boost the Seagulls’ attack for the 2024/25 FA WSL season in the form of a winger capable of starting on the left or the right.
Per Soccerdonna, 22-year-old Barcelona forward Bruna Vilamala has joined Brighton Women on a season-long loan after scoring four goals and four assists in Liga F as part of a crowded Barca attack.
Vilamala has a ton of potential, just like so many attacking prospects at Barcelona. And at Brighton, she will be able to get the regular playing time that is too difficult to obtain with the perennial Champions League favorites.
The 22-year-old’s eight goal contributions last season came in just 851 minutes of action, meaning she averaged a whopping 0.85 goals and assists per 90 minutes as a legitimate difference-maker in the rotation.
Vilamala averaged 2.42 key passes per 90 minutes for Barcelona with 5.08 total shot-creating actions per 90. She even helped out defensively with a robust 2.32 combined tackles and interceptions per 90 for the clear Liga F champions.
Mostly starting on the right wing, Vilamala is equally adept at scoring and creating, and Brighton can harness her creative capabilities alongside Kirby and Cankovic to form a fluid attack.
Vilamala is a major breakout star in the making, and even if this is only a one-year loan, Vilamala can make a big impact for Brighton in one season. And who knows? Maybe Brighton can parlay that into a permanent deal if Vilamala presses for a situation to start regularly.
It’s a longshot given Barca’s clout, but you never know.
