Jeremy Sarmiento

Jeremy Leonel Sarmiento Morante (born 16 June 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Brighton & Hove Albion, and the Ecuador national team.

Born in Spain to Ecuadorian parents, he represented England at youth international level before making his senior Ecuador debut in October 2021.

2021–22: Breakthrough into senior team
A youth product of Charlton Athletic and Benfica, Sarmiento signed for the academy of Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on 2 July 2021. He made his professional career debut on 22 September, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute for injured Alexis Mac Allister in the 2–0 home victory over Swansea City in the third round of the EFL Cup. Sarmiento made a Premier League matchday squad for the first time on 2 October, remaining as an unused substitute in the 0–0 home draw against Arsenal. Sarmiento made his first senior start on 27 October, playing 69 minutes of the penalty shootout loss away at Leicester City in the EFL Cup. He made his Premier League debut on 27 November, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute replacing Jakub Moder in the goalless draw at home against Leeds United. Sarmiento made his first Premier League start four days later, where he ultimately played just 13 minutes due to an injury in which he was replaced, in the eventual 1–1 away draw at West Ham United. It was revealed his injury, which was to the hamstring, would require an operation with Brighton boss Graham Potter hinting he would be back towards the end of February 2022. On 31 January 2022, he signed a new contract, committing a long-term future with Brighton signing on until June 2026. Sarmiento made his return to the matchday squad remaining as an unused substitute in the 2–0 home loss against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 March. He made his first appearance since his injury on 2 April, coming on as an 88th-minute substitute in the 0–0 home draw against bottom side Norwich City. Sarmiento replaced Moder who was subbed on five minutes previously but picked up an injury himself. At Albion's end of season awards in May, Sarmiento won the Young Player of the Season thanking everyone for his support adding, "My first season and making my Premier League debut were really special and I am honoured to win this award."

2022–23
Sarmiento made his first Premier League start of the season on 3 January 2023, where he helped set up Evan Ferguson's goal in the 4–1 away win over Everton. On 4 February, Sarmiento came on from the bench and later assisted Kaoru Mitoma's 87th-minute winner, the only goal of the game in the victory over AFC Bournemouth.

2023–24: Loans to West Bromwich Albion and Ipswich Town
On 21 June 2023 Sarmiento agreed a new contract until June 2027, with the option of an extra year for the club. He joined Championship side West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan on 25 July 2023. He made his debut on the opening weekend of the season, coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute for goal scorer Matt Phillips. However, Sarmiento nor West Brom could find the equaliser losing 2–1 away at Blackburn Rovers. Sarmiento scored his first professional goal of his career on 26 August, after coming off the bench he sealed all three points, scoring the last in the 4–2 home win over Middlesbrough. Sarmiento was recalled on 1 January 2024.

On 3 January 2024, Sarmiento joined fellow Championship side Ipswich Town on loan until the end of the season.

With England
Sarmiento was born in Spain to Ecuadorian parents, and moved to England at the age of 7. He is a youth international for England and represented them at the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. In October 2019 Sarmiento scored the winning goal for England under-18 in a 3–2 victory away to Austria.

Pledge with Ecuador and 2022 FIFA World Cup
Sarmiento was called up for the Ecuador national team for the first time in October 2021 for 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia. He debuted in a 3–0 win over Bolivia on 7 October 2021.

On 14 November, Sarmiento was named in Ecuador's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside Brighton teammates Pervis Estupiñán and Moisés Caicedo.

Personal life
Sarmiento was born in Madrid, Spain, to Ecuadorian parents. He lived in Madrid until he was 7 years old when he moved to London, England with his family. As a young boy, Sarmiento was a fan of the Ecuador national team and had always wished to play for them.

International
Scores and results list Ecuador's goal tally first.

Honours
Ipswich Town
 * EFL Championship runner-up: 2023–24

Individual
 * Brighton & Hove Albion Young Player of the Season: 2021–22