Evan Ferguson receives one of the biggest welcomes we’ve ever seen for an Irishman abroad

Ferguson is close to sealing a loan move from Brighton to Roma

Ferguson, who will join the Serie A side for what is reported to be a €3m loan fee, with a €37m option to buy, touched down on Sunday and was greeted by dozens of Roma fans singing his name.

Ferguson was also linked with Atalanta of Serie A, as well as Celtic and PSV Eindhoven.

The 20-year-old was hoping for a career revival at West Ham this season, joining the Hammers in January on loan. He instead endured a nightmare stint where he struggled for game time and failed to score for the club.

Ireland manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, has continued to back the Seagulls number nine as Ferguson repaid the faith with a crucial goal against Bulgaria in March.

Ferguson was again included in Hallgrimsson’s Ireland squad for the June international friendlies. However, the Ireland manager did acknowledge in the lead up that Ferguson needs to find a home at club level, to keep making the squad.

Hallgrimsson said: “There will come a point when we cannot select players when they’re not playing. But it’s always about the individual, what positions, what depth we have in that position."