Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed that defender Jorelyn Carabalí has left the club to join Boston Legacy in the NWSL. The Colombian international joined the Seagulls in summer 2023 and made 37 appearances during her time at the Amex Stadium.

Prior to her move to the WSL, Carabalí played for several clubs including Orsomarso, Atlético Huila, Deportivo Cali and Atlético Mineiro. Her departure comes as Brighton continue their squad restructuring under manager Dario Vidošić, who has brought in Norwegian midfielder Olaug Tvedten to strengthen his options.

Valued Defender Departs for America

Vidošić paid tribute to Carabalí’s contribution during her time at Brighton. “Jorelyn has been a valued and popular player on and off the pitch and will be missed, but this is a great opportunity and we wish her all the best for her next chapter at Boston Legacy.”

This feels like a significant loss for Brighton, who could have used Carabalí’s experience and defensive solidity for the remainder of the season. The Colombian brought quality and consistency to their backline when fit, making 37 appearances across competitions.

Brighton Rebuild Continues

The move to Boston Legacy represents an exciting opportunity for Carabalí to experience NWSL football and continue her career in America.

The expansion side will benefit from her WSL experience and technical ability as they establish themselves in the league.

Brighton must now ensure they have adequate defensive cover for the second half of the season. Losing an established international defender midway through the campaign is never ideal, especially when fighting to improve their league position.

The Seagulls will hope their January recruitment can compensate for Carabalí’s departure as they look to climb the WSL table before the end of the season.

Also read: Three bids from Juventus rejected by WSL club despite star being ‘open’ to move

Brighton have rejected three bids from Juventus for Fran Kirby as the Serie A club intensifies their pursuit of the former England international.

Despite the player’s reported openness to a switch to Italy, the WSL outfit remain unwilling to negotiate, viewing the 32 year old as irreplaceable in their attacking ranks.

Italian reporter Mauro Munno claimed that Kirby has given the green light for a move to Juventus, but Brighton are determined to keep their star asset. The club considers Kirby non transferable at this stage of the season, with transfer negotiations showing no signs of progressing.

Why Juventus Came Calling

Juventus are desperate to address their goalscoring problems in Italy. The Bianconeri sit second in the Women’s Serie A behind Roma but have only scored 10 goals in nine games, a record worse than six other clubs in the eleven team league. This defensive vulnerability has left them five points adrift of leaders Roma, despite maintaining the league’s best defensive record.

Kirby presents an experienced solution to their attacking woes. Since joining Brighton in summer 2024, she has scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 30 appearances. While her output is lower than her Chelsea days, when she netted 105 goals in 192 matches, her presence would still significantly boost Juventus’s second half campaign and their upcoming Champions League playoff against Wolfsburg.

Brighton’s Stance Remains Resolute

Brighton cannot afford to lose Kirby given their current injury concerns. Michelle Agyemang’s season ending ACL injury has depleted their attacking options, and losing another key player would seriously damage their hopes of maintaining last season’s top half finish. Manager Dario Vidosic has made clear his desire to keep the experienced attacker at the Amex.

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Dario Vidosic expressed significant frustration after Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on January 12, 2026. Two second-half goals from Rachel Daly and Kirsty Hanson within 60 seconds snatched victory from the Seagulls after Fuka Tsunoda had put Brighton ahead earlier in the match.

Vidosic was particularly disappointed by his team’s defensive lapses and loss of control during the second half, believing Brighton had thrown away a winnable game through poor decision-making.

First-Half Promise Wasted

Vidosic acknowledged that Brighton dominated the opening 45 minutes and created sufficient chances to establish a commanding lead. He praised their performance with and without the ball, but lamented their inability to convert opportunities into additional goals.

The Brighton manager stressed that not capitalizing on first half dominance left them vulnerable heading into the second period when Aston Villa typically applies transition-based pressure through their quick attacking opportunities.

Defensive Discipline Breakdown

The manager was critical of Brighton’s second-half performance, particularly how they began the period poorly and lost control of the game. Vidosic highlighted that Brighton forced passes and played long balls when their spacing was inadequate.

Most frustratingly, he pointed out that they conceded from a free-kick in an area where Brighton practice extensively and have proven strong defensively. Within one minute, the same defensive mistake happened again when Hanson scored immediately after Daly’s opening, giving Vidosic legitimate cause for disappointment at repeated lapses in concentration.

Missing Quality in the Squad

Despite the loss, Vidosic praised Brighton’s overall football and tactical approach, indicating that the squad lacks only marginal quality improvements. He believed Villa are a dangerous team but Brighton’s brand of football remained evident throughout the match.

His comments suggested that January transfer window activity targeting recruitment could help erase the small tactical errors that cost Brighton victory. Vidosic remains committed to his progressive playing philosophy while acknowledging that championship-winning teams capitalize on opportunities and maintain defensive discipline consistently.

Also read: Brighton and Hove Albion Sign Norwegian International Midfielder Olaug Tvedten From Vålerenga as First January Addition