Zane Albarus

Zane Albarus was the first player Brighton & Hove Albion signed to their full-time training model, an arrangement that let him combine football with school at Lancing College. The college became one of the few providers approved by the Premier League for such a set-up. His family moved to Worthing.

Albarus had started out at MK Dons, joining their under-16 setup before Brighton took him in 2021. He made his U21 debut in January 2024 and went on to play 67 times across the U18 and U21 sides. One of those appearances brought a goal for the U18s in 2023/2024. He also appeared three times for the U21s in the EFL Trophy.

Lancing named him Head of the College for the 2023–2024 academic year, and he was given the Player of the Match award for the school against Box Hill School in the ESFA U18 National Cup.

In 2025/2026 he was part of the Brighton U21 squad that won the U21 Premier League title. When his contract ran out in July 2026, he joined Gillingham on a free transfer and signed a two-year deal.

Albarus is a central midfielder who also covers right back, defensive midfield and the right side of midfield. In the 2026/2027 season he has played twice in League Two and once in the EFL Cup for Gillingham. He represents England.