18-year-old forward Enciso set to join Brighton - Record fee for Club Libertad

Julio Enciso celebrated his 18th birthday on January 22 and – with a market value of €5.5 million – has been the most valuable player in the history of Paraguay’s Primera División since last summer. Speaking to Transfermarkt at the time, he said: “I would like to play in Europe. That is my aim, and that is what my representative Pedro Aldave and I are working towards.” Six months later, that dream could become reality – according to Sky Sports, the forward is on the verge of completing a move from Club Libertad to Brighton.

The Premier League side have reportedly increased their offer to around €7 million and the clubs are close to reaching an agreement. At Brighton, Enciso would meet several Spanish-speaking colleagues. He has been training his English as well for some time now, as the two-time international is also working on his big dream off the pitch.

Enciso would be the 9th Paraguayan in the Premier League and the first in the ranks of the Seagulls, who currently sit ninth. One of his idols, Miguel Almirón, currently plays for Newcastle – the two know each other from the national team. In the domestic league, the youngster also plays with and learns from veteran Óscar Cardozo: “He has already gone through everything in his career, and he guides me on and off the field has experienced everything and guides me on and off the pitch. Cardozo brings us his experience, wisdom, and little secrets. He is a relentless scorer and also is a great person.”

For Club Libertad Asunción, the transfer fee for the homegrown talent would mean a new transfer record. The current record was recently set by centre-forward Sebastián Ferreira, who left for Houston Dynamo in January. In last year’s TM Talents Calendar, Enciso was introduced behind door number 21.