Carlos Baleba may have left something truly valuable behind for Brighton’s young players with his heartfelt goodbye message.
The midfielder has completed what he describes as his dream transfer to Manchester United, twelve months after the club first expressed interest.
Despite a difficult 2025-26 campaign, a season United could arguably take some pride in shaping, his exit represents a significant blow to Brighton.
Hearing national media praise United’s transfer dealings as astute and their acquisition as excellent value will likely have been somewhat galling for Brighton followers.
From next month onwards, we will discover whether the £70 million asking price reflects a genuinely talented player who experienced a temporary dip in form, or someone who ultimately could not sustain the early promising signs in Brighton’s colours.
What we now have, however, is a deeper understanding of the emotional journey he experienced during three years at the club.
This itself can serve as a form of inheritance if it helps us comprehend more fully the obstacles facing young footballers joining from overseas.
Brighton and their supporters are not known for impatience. They do provide new arrivals with time and some tolerance, which explains why their transfer policy has generally delivered such positive outcomes.
Yet we now have greater clarity about what a single magical moment can mean for a young man far from familiar surroundings who craves acceptance and, fundamentally, affection.
The Cameroon international posted a touching farewell video for Brighton supporters that showcased his admirable character.
We also understand now how difficult periods can affect and worry these players, regardless of the comforts and wealth they may possess.
Baleba discussed how intimidating it was to learn he had been signed as the replacement for the £115 million player Moises Caicedo.
He addressed supporters about the patience he needed to demonstrate, mentioning his struggles with the English language, before noting, importantly and unexpectedly, that scoring against Chelsea became the turning point.
That was when he dispossessed Caicedo and found the net.
The strike went largely unnoticed because Brighton were defeated 4-2, but one can imagine the thoughts running through his mind.
Naturally disappointed by the result, amid widespread discussion about that day’s disastrous defending.
But also, privately, feeling as though he had accomplished something meaningful, even if he could not show it.
There followed problems during the previous season, including the evening he was hooked at Villa Park after just 22 minutes.
The manager acted commendably that evening. Despite the early nature of the substitution, he waited several minutes before making the change. Baleba might have been withdrawn after a quarter of an hour or even sooner.
But he made the essential call.
When questioned afterward, the focus was placed on the yellow card Baleba had received, with the manager claiming it was unjust to justify taking some pressure off his young player.
Baleba recalled sitting in the technical area unable to raise his head.
He acknowledged that supporters did not jeer him, and that he has reflected on that more than they realise.
He noted they had every justification to do so yet chose not to.
In truth, that was the single error in an otherwise excellent video.
Baleba has sealed his anticipated transfer to Manchester United as Brighton offered their best wishes. The club’s new £9.5 million acquisition discussed his ambitions to create his own legacy at the club. An international referee appointed for Euro duties will officiate Brighton’s upcoming match.
Brighton supporters had no cause to whistle their own player, regardless of his struggles. They understood this perfectly well.
Expressing frustration among yourselves in the stands is perfectly acceptable, but there would have been no justification for boos, even during that difficult period three days after the home loss to Crystal Palace.
Although the connection was tested at various points throughout last season, supporters never stopped caring for Baleba or wanting him to succeed. They urged him to rediscover his best form, searching for any small indication that this was occurring.
Baleba declared he would check Brighton’s results every week for the rest of his life, expressing gratitude to the fans.
These player exits always sting but some cut deeper than others.
Baleba will surely receive a warm reception when he returns to the Amex wearing United colours. His lasting contribution will be his finest performances, his joyful celebrations and dancing, plus his decisive strike against West Ham.
And a departure that offered unprecedented insight into what these young footballers experience settling into an unfamiliar country.