Brighton defender Odel Offiah is in talks to join Hearts on loan.
According to multiple reports and confirmed by Hearts manager Frankie McAvoy, Offiah is in talks with the Scottish Premiership side over a loan move allowing him to gain his first taste of regular senior football.
Speaking ahead of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round second leg against Rosenborg, McAvoy said: “We’ve looked at him. He is a big, strong, powerful defender who is quick and he is one we are interested in getting through the door.
“We like him and, if we can get him in here, we think he will be a good asset to the squad.”
Will this be a good move for Odel Offiah?
Offiah joined Brighton in 2017 from Bromley, and has been with Brighton’s development squad for the last few years. He is predominantly a centre-back but can play anywhere across the back line.
However, he has made a few first team appearances, making his debut in August 2021, coming on as a substitute in the EFL Cup in a 2-0 win over Cardiff City.
At the age of 20, Offiah is at the right age to be playing regular senior efootball and getting some experience under his belt, and Hearts would be a great place to start, with the side potentially playing in the Europa Conference League in the next few months, should they progress to the group stage.
Brighton also have a great track record when loaning their players out, like when they loaned recently departed Moises Caicedo to Beerschot in 21/22, a move which benefitted him greatly.