It was a victorious debut for Sam Adekugbe.
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC left back made his first-team debut for Brighton & Hove Albion FC on Tuesday, helping the Seagulls cruise to a 4-0 win over fourth-tier side Colchester United FC in the first round of the Football League Cup (EFL).
Adekugbe, who is on loan at Brighton through June 2017, played the full 90 minutes and drew praise for his performance. Though he did not find the scoresheet, Adekugbe helped create a number of chances, including a strike of his own and a pair of crosses from his left back position.
“He’s enjoying it,” Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said of Adekugbe. “He’s obviously working with the under-21 group a lot and mixing in with the first team. He got the opportunity to play today and I’m delighted for him. It will be a good education for him.”
"These young players want to play games," Robinson continued. "If they're not playing games on a regular basis, then you can either be greedy and keep them here or you can let them go and play. It's a great experience for Sam. It will do him a world of good, not just in the short term but in the medium and long term as well, because he's got a big future at this club."
Brighton opened their 2016-17 English Football League Championship campaign with a scoreless draw vs. Derby County this past weekend. They will learn their opponent for the second round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
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