Jeremy Sarmiento
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Jeremy Sarmiento is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Burnley on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. Born on June 16, 2002, Sarmiento has shown promise as a young talent in English football. He began his senior career with Brighton in the 2021/2022 season, making his Premier League debut and gradually earning more playing time. Despite limited appearances, Sarmiento has demonstrated potential, particularly in cup competitions. His loan move to Burnley for the 2024/2025 season aims to provide him with more regular first-team football in the Championship. Standing at 178cm tall, Sarmiento possesses the versatility to play in various attacking midfield positions. While he has yet to score in the Premier League, he has shown glimpses of his ability in other competitions, including a goal in the EFL Cup.
Early life & youth football
Sarmiento's early life and youth career laid the foundation for his professional journey. Born in Madrid, Spain, to Ecuadorian parents, he moved to England at a young age. Sarmiento began his football development in the youth academy of Charlton Athletic, where he quickly caught the eye of scouts. His impressive performances led to a move to Benfica's youth setup in Portugal, further honing his skills in a different footballing culture. However, Sarmiento's path eventually brought him back to England, joining Brighton & Hove Albion's youth system in 2020. This move proved crucial in his development, as he excelled in the club's under-23 team, earning him a promotion to the first-team squad.
Professional career
The 2021/22 season marked Sarmiento's breakthrough into senior football with Brighton & Hove Albion. After joining the club's academy from Benfica in July 2021, he quickly made an impression on the first-team coaching staff.Sarmiento made his professional debut on September 22, 2021, coming on as a substitute in an EFL Cup match against Swansea City. His Premier League debut followed on November 27, 2021, when he came off the bench against Leeds United.A significant milestone came on December 1, 2021, when Sarmiento made his first Premier League start against West Ham United. However, this moment was bittersweet as he suffered a hamstring injury just 13 minutes into the match, requiring surgery and sidelining him for several months.Despite this setback, Sarmiento's potential was recognized by the club. On January 31, 2022, he signed a new long-term contract with Brighton, committing his future to the club until June 2026.Sarmiento made his return from injury on April 2, 2022, coming on as a late substitute against Norwich City. While his appearances were limited due to the injury, he showed enough promise to be named Brighton's Young Player of the Season at the club's end-of-season awards.The 2022/23 season saw Sarmiento continue his development at Brighton, gaining more Premier League experience. He made his first Premier League start of the season on January 3, 2023, in a 4-1 victory over Everton, where he contributed to the team's success by assisting a goal for Evan Ferguson.Sarmiento's impact as a substitute was notable during this season. On February 4, 2023, he came off the bench to provide a crucial assist for Kaoru Mitoma's 87th-minute winner against AFC Bournemouth.Throughout the season, Sarmiento made nine Premier League appearances, with eight of those coming as a substitute. While he didn't score in the league, he continued to show flashes of his potential, particularly with his ability to create chances for his teammates.In cup competitions, Sarmiento made additional appearances, including in the EFL Cup and FA Cup. These matches provided valuable playing time and experience for the young midfielder.The 2023/24 season marked a new phase in Sarmiento's career as he sought regular first-team football through loan moves. On June 21, 2023, he signed a new contract with Brighton, extending his commitment to the club until June 2027, with an option for an additional year.Sarmiento's first loan move of the season was to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship. He joined the club on July 25, 2023, on a season-long loan. His debut for West Brom came on the opening weekend of the Championship season, where he came on as a substitute in a 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers.A significant moment in Sarmiento's professional career occurred on August 26, 2023, when he scored his first professional goal. Coming off the bench, he sealed a 4-2 victory for West Brom against Middlesbrough, showcasing his ability to make an impact in important moments.However, Sarmiento's loan at West Brom was cut short, and he was recalled by Brighton on January 1, 2024. This recall was quickly followed by another loan move, this time to Ipswich Town, another Championship side, for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.These loan spells in the Championship provided Sarmiento with valuable experience in a competitive league, allowing him to play more regularly and develop his skills against experienced professionals.
National team
Sarmiento's international career has been marked by his decision to represent Ecuador, despite being eligible for Spain and England. He received his first call-up to the Ecuador senior team in October 2021, shortly after making his Premier League debut. Since then, Sarmiento has become a regular fixture in the national team setup, earning caps in World Cup qualifiers and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His international experience, despite his young age, has been valuable for his development. Sarmiento's performances for Ecuador have showcased his potential on the global stage, contributing to his growing reputation as a promising talent in South American football.
Player’s style
Sarmiento's style of play is characterized by his technical ability and creativity in attacking positions. Primarily deployed as a left winger or attacking midfielder, he possesses excellent close control and dribbling skills, allowing him to navigate tight spaces effectively. His vision and passing ability make him a valuable asset in creating chances for teammates. Sarmiento's agility and quick feet enable him to beat defenders one-on-one, while his intelligent movement off the ball helps him find pockets of space. Although he is still developing his end product, Sarmiento has shown flashes of goalscoring ability, particularly in cup competitions. His versatility allows him to operate across the front line, providing tactical flexibility to his teams. As he continues to gain experience and refine his skills, Sarmiento has the potential to become a dynamic and influential attacking player in the future.