Brighton unveil £30m signing Joao Pedro at half-time… as fans demand he is subbed ON with Seagulls 3-0 down to Everton
BRIGHTON fans have all been saying the same thing after new signing Joao Pedro was unveiled during the clash against Everton.
Pedro, 21, made his way onto the pitch to applaud his new fans at half time of the Premier League fixture.
But the timing could have been better as the Seagulls had been hammered in the first half of the match.
Abdoulaye Doucoure netted a brace and Dwight McNeil forced an own goal off goalkeeper Jason Steele to put the Toffees in control.
It was quite a shock as the South Coast side are battling to qualify for European football while Everton are fighting to secure their Premier League status for next season.
And fans were demanding that he was subbed on to try and recover the game.
One Brighton fan tweeted: “Sub him on!”
A second wrote: “Tell Joao Pedro to get his f*****g boots on.”
A third fan joked: “No you can’t go back to Watford!”
A fourth said: “What a time to unveil Joao Pedro at the Amex .”
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While a fifth added: “Joao Pedro on the pitch at half time, waving and clapping the crowd and thinking ‘What the f**k have I signed up for here?’
“Don’t worry Joao, it’s not normally like this .”
Brighton tried to get back into the game in the second half but found themselves 4-0 down after McNeil rounded the goalkeeper.
Alexis Mac Allister‘s flukey goal did give the Seagulls a consolation goal but the result has already been decided.
McNeil did grab his second in the 96th minute to put the game to bed at 5-1.
The Seagulls have forked out just shy of £30million for the Brazilian striker, with the deal having the potential to rise to £35m.
He signed a five-year deal at The Amex and will join the club when the summer transfer window officially opens following this season.
The deal breaks Brighton‘s previous club record signing of £20m paid to Bristol City in 2019 to sign defender Adam Webster and is a huge fee for Watford.
Pedro has 11 goals and four assists in 35 Championship appearances this season.
Roberto De Zerbi‘s side are also set to sign Liverpool midfielder James Milner on a free transfer.