Svoboda is currently part of the Austria squad at this summer's World Cup Christian Bruna/Getty ImagesJuly 2, 2026 10:01 am EDT Updated Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Michael Svoboda from Venezia as part of their summer defensive rebuild.The Athletic reported on June 19 that Brighton were interested in the 27-year-old, and prepared to meet the €5million (£4.3m) release clause in his contract with the club.Svoboda’s arrival follows the signings of fellow centre-back Pascal Struijk from Leeds United and Costinha, a right-back, from Olympiacos.The south-coast club have also agreed a deal to sign Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £50m.
The incomings follow the £52m sale of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur, alongside Adam Webster’s summer release and Igor Julio’s likely exit.
We are pleased to confirm the signing of defender Michael Svoboda from Serie B champions Venezia on a four-year contract, for undisclosed terms. 🤝
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 2, 2026Svoboda, Venezia’s captain, made 30 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, helping his side to a first-placed finish in Serie B and promotion to the Italian top-flight. He has been with them for six years, including two seasons in Serie A which ended in relegation, after joining from WSG Tirol in the Austrian Bundesliga.The defender, who has made a total of 138 appearances for Venezia, earned a new contract following the recent promotion.Capped four times by Austria, Svoboda was named in Ralf Rangnick’s 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup. He has been an unused substitute in each of the nation’s three group-stage games.Jul 2, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
