Kofi Shaw has won his first silverware since leaving Bristol Rovers last summer as Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21’s won the Premier League 2 play-off final.
Shaw came on as a substitute to see out their 1-0 victory against Manchester United Under-21s at the Amex Stadium in West Sussex.
Shaw’s came through the Bristol Rovers academy, and was promoted to the first team two seasons ago. He played one game during the 2023/24 season which was the final game of the season away at Wigan Athletic, a week after he won Bristol Rovers Young Player of the Season.
His singular goal in blue and white came in the EFL Trophy that season in a 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, with Rovers eventually loosing on penalties. Following that result, former Rovers manager Matt Taylor insisted that Shaw was their “best player.”
Despite this performance, and the large compliment he received as a result, he dropped a level to play in tier five for the Glovers.
The National League outfit was a successful destination for the youngster with him playing 17 times, scoring twice, and getting a singular assist.
However, Shaw returned to the Gas in January with his contract up in Somerset. He joined new first team manager Inigo Calderon, and although Rovers did not survive the drop, Shaw filled Gasheads with excitement on the ball and seeing one of their own on the pitch often look a level above was incredible.
Some supporters knew that Shaw was destined to play at a higher level than League One. After the relegation, it was clear that Shaw would leave the club.
In the summer, Kofi Shaw opted to join Brighton Under-21’s. This was a club that former manager Calderon had been captain and Academy Coach at Under-18 level.
It has proved a successful move for the Gloucester-born player with him making eleven appearances for the club so far.
The majority of these appearances have come as a substitute and the 19-year-old has scored four goals and provided one assist.
Two of these goals have come in the Premier League International Cup where he scored against Dinamo Zagreb 2 in a 2-0 win.
Furthermore, his most impressive goal was arguably a 90+6 minute equaliser against Paris Saint Germain’s Under-21s to complete a late comeback from Albion.
With Brighton’s season now over, they have a similar story to Rovers finishing on an unbeaten run of seven games. Brighton finished 12th in their 29-team league.
Kofi Shaw won the cup as well, acting as a great reflection on the Rovers academy and its continuing success across English football.
