Igor Julio, a Brazilian center back, joins Brighton for £14.5 million from Fiorentina

Igor Julio, a Brazilian center defender, has been acquired by Brighton from Fiorentina for a reported £14.5 million transfer price. The Premier League team and the 25-year-old agreed on a four-year contract.

Following Joao Pedro, Bart Verbruggen, James Milner, and Mahmoud Dahoud signed the club this summer, Julio becomes Brighton's fifth addition. 

After Chelsea reiterated that they were not interested in selling Levi Colwill, Brighton's manager Roberto De Zerbi turned his focus to Julio. Chelsea turned down Brighton's £40 million offer for Colwill.

Prior to joining SPAL, Julio began his professional career playing for RB Salzburg in the Austrian League. In 2020, he moved on to Fiorentina, where he played 110 times for the Serie A squad.

The Brazilian was absent during Fiorentina's defeat to Inter Milan in the most recent Coppa Italia. He entered the game as a late substitution in the European Conference League but was unable to save Fiorentina from losing to West Ham.

In 223 appearances across all club competitions, the Brazilian registered two goals and three assists. In his career to date, he has been issued 43 yellow and 4 red cards.