Brighton are interested in bringing Irish wonderkid Rory Lawlor to the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
The English club have sent scouts on regular missions to watch the 17-year-old and saw him score for UCD’s Under-19s in their 3-0 Uefa Youth League victory over Icelandic side Stjarnan FC on Wednesday (September 18).
UCD, the team representing University College Dublin, currently compete in the First Division, the second tier of football in the Republic of Ireland.
Brighton have a history of recruiting from the Republic of Ireland, bringing the likes of Evan Ferguson and Andrew Moran across the Irish Sea to England.
Brighton eye another Irish wonderkid in Rory Lawlor
UCD’s first team are currently sitting in second place, 22 points behind league leaders Cork City in first, the only automatic promotion spot in the league.
The Dublin side next play an out-of-form Cobh Ramblers on Friday (September 20) as they seek to take advantage of their game in hand over third-place Wexford FC.
Brighton remain unbeaten under new manager Fabian Hurzeler, sitting in sixth place having won two and drawn two in their opening four Premier League games.
The South Coast club face a visit from fellow unbeaten side Nottingham Forest on Sunday (September 22) after their impressive 1-0 victory over Liverpool on matchday four.
