Brighton defender Ed Turns completes Leyton Orient loan move for 2023/24 season
The 20-year-old has been in the Albion academy for six years and got his first taste of senior football on loan at Leyton Orient during the second half of last season
Brighton defender Ed Turns has rejoined Leyton Orient on a seaosn-long loan.
The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season with the O’s, making 16 appearances as Ritchie Wellens’ team finished as League Two champions. He scored twice for Orient during that time, in successive games against Crewe Alexandra and Walsall.
Turns joined Albion as a 14-year-old, progressing through the academy before making his first team debut in a 2-0 League Cup win over Swansea City in September 2021.
Technical director David Weir said: “Ed had a great few months with Orient last season; he went straight into the team and played an important role as they were promoted.
“This is an ideal move for Ed as he gets to challenge himself in a higher league and in an environment he’s already familiar with. Gordon Greer [loans manager] and his team will be in close contact with Ed throughout the season.”
Turns had hoped that he would be sent back on loan to Orient, admitting as much in Brighton’s pre-match Wolves programme in May.
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“I am the youngest player in the [Orient] squad but I think I’ve matured on the pitch and off it,” he said. “I think I’ve improved out of possession, defending crosses, winning my headers and knowing when to be smart when you can’t win the ball.
“At my age, I feel I would really benefit from another loan spell to gain more experience and, ideally, that would be at Orient again but in League One this time. That’s a conversation for another day though, to be had with the coaches and Gordon at Brighton. For now, I am just focused on ending the season as strongly as I can.”
The defender has been in the US with Brighton during their pre-season tour, appearing in the Premier League Summer Series games against Brentford and Newcastle off the bench. He signed a new contract with Brighton in July that runs until June 2025, with a club option for an extra year.
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