Sunderland fans thank Tommy Watson after Brighton announcement
Tommy Watson has finally been unveiled as a Brighton player after sealing a move away from his boyhood club, Sunderland.
After Watson was booed at the Stadium of Light by some supporters, it seemed he would depart Wearside on sour terms.
However, his winning goal in the play-off final at Wembley means that the Black Cats are a Premier League club once more, and the teenager can therefore be forgiven.
As Brighton posted a photo of the winger signing on social media, Sunderland supporters swamped the comments section with messages.
Sunderland supporters say their goodbyes to Watson
After a mixed campaign, Watson delivered the almighty blow to get Sunderland over the line in the play-off final.
The winger entered the pitch with his side behind and flipped the game upside down to give the Black Cats the unlikeliest of victories over Sheffield United.
| Tommy Watson’s statistics from the play-off final | Total |
| Minutes | 17 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.08 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 2/3 (67%) |
Sunderland have spent years in the doldrums pondering how long it would take them to get back to the Premier League, and it had to be the departing Watson who clinched their fate.
No boos could be heard within the Wembley West Stand, only rapture as he wheeled away with his shirt off in his parting gift.
Along with goalkeeper Matt Young, Black Cats fans shared their parting messages with the 19-year-old on Brighton’s X post (1 June).
It appears that it all eventually ended on good terms, though, with several Sunderland fans sending messages of good luck, while telling those at Brighton to look after him.
Watson deal best for Black Cats and Seagulls
Although Watson is a player of immense potential, there is no point in keeping a player who has his heart set on a move elsewhere.
Last summer, Brighton came in with a modest offer of £2million for the winger, but the North East club turned it down on deadline day.
Inevitably, the South Coast club came back in the New Year, and Watson’s head had clearly been turned.
A deal of £10million feels fair at this point in his career, but it could prove to be a bargain for Brighton.
Whether the teenager will receive many minutes remains to be seen, but Sunderland will hope he does not come back to haunt them.