Brighton & Hove Albion winger Tommy Watson is set for a return to the Championship on loan to promotion contenders Millwall for the rest of the season.
Millwall have seen off interest from other second tier clubs, including Stoke City, to secure the 19-year-old on a straight loan deal, with no option to make the move permanent.
Watson scored a late winner in the 2024-25 Championship final against Sheffield United at Wembley last May to clinch promotion to the Premier League for Sunderland before joining Brighton for ยฃ10million.
His first team opportunities under head coach Fabian Hurzeler have been limited so far by a combination of injuries and competition for places. Watson has made six substitute appearances in the Premier League and ten appearances in total across all competitions, including a goal and three assists in 6-0 wins away to Oxford United and Barnsley in the Carabao Cup in the early stages of the campaign.
Watson made 24 senior appearances for Sunderland, including 13 as a substitute, before joining Brighton on a four-year contract. They regard him as a long-term project.
Millwall are in fifth place in the Championship after a 1-1 home draw against Sheffield United on Saturday. Brighton also had to settle for a 1-1 home draw against Everton, substitute Beto snatching a 97th minute equaliser for the visitors at the Amex Stadium after Pascal Gross struck in the 73rd minute for Hurzelerโs side.
It was Grossโs first league goal for the club since February 2024 after recently returning for a second spell from Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window.
Brighton, 13th in the table after one win and a sixth draw in the last 11 games, host rivals Crystal Palace next on February 8.
