Hartlepool United is delighted to confirm the signing of Charlie Penman following the expiry of his contract with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 19-year-old defender has agreed a one-year contract at Victoria Park until June 2027, with the Club holding an option to extend the agreement by a further year through to June 2028. The deal is subject to the relevant approvals.

The left-footed centre-back joins Pools following a five-year spell with Brighton, having progressed through the Premier League club’s academy after arriving from Blackpool in 2021.

Penman made his Brighton first-team debut in a 2025/26 pre-season fixture against Southampton before gaining senior experience on loan with Aldershot Town, where he made nine appearances across league and cup competitions.

He also featured regularly for Brighton’s Under-21 side during the 2025/26 campaign, making 12 appearances across all competitions and helping the Seagulls secure the Premier League 2 Play-Off title.

Across his time on the south coast, Penman made 85 appearances for Brighton’s Under-18 and Under-21 sides, competing in Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup, Premier League Cup, National League Cup and EFL Trophy competitions..

Standing at approximately 6ft 6in, Penman arrives at Victoria Park as a commanding left-footed defender who has developed within a Premier League academy and first-team environment while also gaining valuable experience of senior National League football.

Speaking after agreeing to join Pools, Charlie Penman said: “I’m delighted to get everything sorted and become a Pools player.

“This feels like the right move for me at the right stage of my career. I’ve had five brilliant years at Brighton and learned so much both on and off the pitch, but now I’m ready for the next challenge and to establish myself in senior football.

“I had some really positive conversations with Chris Maxwell throughout the process and he explained clearly why Hartlepool United would be a great environment for me to continue my development. The ambition around the club, the plans for the future and the opportunity to play regular men’s football really stood out.

“My spell at Aldershot gave me a taste of what the National League is all about and I know there will be a lot more challenges ahead. There will be things I need to adapt to and learn, but I trust my ability and the football education I’ve had, and I’m ready to work hard every day to keep improving.

“Pools is a huge football club with a fantastic fanbase and that’s something every young player wants to be part of. I’m looking forward to meeting the supporters, getting started and doing everything I can to help the team have a successful season.”

Penman becomes the latest addition to Lee Clark’s squad during a busy summer at Victoria Park, joining Jordan Hugill, Jack Nolan, Brooklyn Ilunga, Corey McKeown, Owen Hampson, Chris Popov and Will Harris ahead of the 2026/27 National League campaign.

Lee Clark, First Team Head Coach at Hartlepool United, said: “Charlie is a player we are delighted to bring to the football club and somebody we believe has enormous potential.

“He has grown up in an elite football environment at Brighton, where he has received an outstanding football education, and has already gained valuable experience of senior football through his time in the National League.

“Charlie has come here because he wants to establish himself in senior football and forge a successful career in the game. That ambition and determination were clear from the first time we spoke to him.

“When you look at his attributes, it’s easy to understand why he is such an exciting prospect. He is physically imposing, dominant in the air, naturally left-footed and comfortable in possession.  

“At 19, there is still plenty of development ahead of him, but we believe Hartlepool United is the right place for him to continue progressing and fulfil his potential. We’re looking forward to working with him and helping him take the next steps in his career.”

Chris Maxwell, Head of Football Operations at Bromby & Partners, said: “Charlie is a player we’ve known about for some time and somebody we felt had all the attributes to be a really strong fit for Pools.

“Over the course of several conversations, we spoke in detail about his development, his ambitions and what he was looking for from the next stage of his career.

“What became clear very quickly was that he wasn’t simply looking for another club. He was looking for the right environment to continue progressing and establish himself in senior football.

” For any young player coming out of a Premier League academy, the next decision is one of the most important they’ll make.

“We were able to demonstrate why Pools is uniquely placed to provide that opportunity through the ambition of the Club and the pathway available to him here.

“Charlie has received an outstanding football education at Brighton, gained valuable experience in the National League and possesses the physical and technical qualities that give him enormous potential.

“Just as importantly, he has the mentality and desire to improve that we look for in every player we bring to the football club. We’re delighted he has joined us and we’re excited to see how his development continues.”