Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the loan signing of Swedish international forward Rosa Kafaji from Arsenal for the 2025/26 season.
The deal, confirmed on Monday, gives the 22-year-old the chance to earn regular minutes after a frustrating debut campaign in North London.
Kafaji is expected to link up immediately with Dario Vidošić’s squad ahead of their Women’s Super League opener against Aston Villa on September 7. She could also feature in Brighton’s pre-season friendly against Spanish side Alhama later this month.
Arsenal described the move as an opportunity for the player to “continue her development” following an injury-hit year, while Brighton hailed her as “a versatile attacker who brings creativity and goal threat.”
For Kafaji, this is a chance to reassert herself after a difficult introduction to English football. For Brighton, it is the headline move of a summer where ambition is clear: closing the gap to the top four and pushing for European qualification.
From Solna to the Super League
Kafaji’s rise has been rapid and at times ruthless. Born in Solna in 2003 to Iraqi parents, she grew up in Akalla, Stockholm, where her football story started on local streets alongside her brother Ali. By 15, she was making senior appearances for AIK. By 17, she was their star.
Her 2020 breakthrough season yielded 12 goals in 18 matches, firing AIK to the Elitettan title and promotion. That summer, Swedish media hailed her as one of the country’s brightest young forwards. A year later, BK Häcken came calling.
European Recognition at Häcken
At Häcken, Kafaji’s reputation exploded. She scored 28 goals in 61 appearances and played a central role in their 2023/24 campaign, finishing as top scorer with 15 goals. Four of those came in the UEFA Women’s Champions League — including a thunderbolt against Real Madrid and a cheeky strike directly from a corner.
Her form helped Häcken reach the UWCL quarter-finals for the first time, and UEFA duly named her one of Europe’s top ten rising stars in 2024. Scouts across the continent took notice. Arsenal moved first.
Arsenal Games: High Expectations, Limited Minutes
Kafaji joined Arsenal in August 2024 in what Swedish outlets described as the most expensive transfer in the nation’s women’s football history. Jonas Eidevall called her a “perfect fit,” and fans expected her to feature heavily in a squad pushing for silverware.
Instead, the debut season became stop-start. Kafaji scored once — a curling finish against West Ham in October — but never started a WSL match. Interim coach Renée Slegers acknowledged her frustration: “Sometimes young players want to do everything at once. Rosa needs to settle into a role.”
Then came the ankle injury. Surgery sidelined her for the spring, ruling her out of the Champions League final and forcing her to miss Women’s Euro 2025 with Sweden. She was part of the Arsenal squad that paraded through London with the Champions League trophy, but her role was reduced to that of a supporting cast member. The Arsenal Women parade was a celebration, but for Kafaji it also underlined how far she still has to climb.
Why Brighton Transfer News?
For Arsenal, the logic is straightforward: Kafaji needs matches. For Brighton, the appeal is just as clear. They finished fifth last season, close to the Champions League spots, and want to bridge the gap.
Brighton have an existing relationship with Arsenal after hosting striker Michelle Agyemang on loan last year. Kafaji, a player capable of operating as a No.10 or wide forward, fits the same mould of high-upside talent.
Head coach Dario Vidošić said: “She’s a fantastic addition for us. Rosa is a versatile attacker who loves to go forward. We’re excited to see her impact.”
The Seagulls open their WSL campaign at the Amex against Aston Villa on September 7. The buzz on the South Coast is that Kafaji could be one of the defining Brighton transfers of the summer.
What Brighton FC Are Getting
Kafaji describes herself as a “classic No.10.” She likes to take the ball, dictate tempo, and play with flair. Ronaldinho remains her idol, and in Sweden she often looked like she was channelling him — nutmegs, flicks, backheels, the kind of expressive football that gets fans off their seats.
At Häcken, she proved she can deliver numbers as well as tricks. For Brighton, who struggled at times to turn possession into goals, her ability to both create and finish chances could be decisive.
The Stakes for Club and Country
This loan move is more than a change of scenery. It is a career hinge-point.
Brighton Standings: A top-four finish would mean the club’s first-ever Champions League qualification. Kafaji’s European experience is an asset. Domestic Cups: Brighton have never lifted a major trophy. Kafaji has already shown she can thrive in knockout football, scoring decisive goals in Sweden and Europe. Sweden Return: With 12 senior caps, she is not new to the national team setup, but injuries halted her progress. Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson has called her journey “tough.” Consistent minutes in the WSL could reignite her push for a starting spot ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Arsenal Future: This is a loan, not a sale. Arsenal still view her as part of their long-term plans. If she shines at Brighton, she returns to North London with a stronger case to start. Fail to make an impact, and her Arsenal future becomes uncertain.
Beyond Football: Brighton as Stage
There is also the off-pitch dimension. Brighton is not just a football town; it’s a cultural hub. For a player who has quickly become a role model for young Muslim girls in Sweden, the city offers a platform.
Brighton Beach remains a draw for fans and players alike. Matchdays at the Amex are often paired with weekend trips to the pier, the seafront, or the famous lanes. Articles on things to do in Brighton often sit alongside pieces on the Seagulls’ WSL fixtures. With the unpredictable Brighton weather, it is a place of contrasts — and that suits Kafaji, a player of contrasts herself: humble yet ambitious, technically gifted yet still finding her role at the very top.
What Comes Next
By this time next year, we’ll know whether this loan was the turning point. Will Rosa Kafaji return to the Emirates ready to fight for a starting spot? Or will she still be on the periphery, remembered more for her presence at the Arsenal Women trophy parade than her impact on the pitch?
Brighton have bet on the former. So has she.
For now, the South Coast is her stage. The WSL season opens in less than a month, the loan papers are signed, and Rosa Kafaji’s second act in England begins.
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