- Kaoru Mitoma won Brighton’s goal-of-the-season award for a third time
- The Japan winger stunned fans with his verdict on Charalampos Kostoulas
- Mitoma is recovering from a season-ending hamstring injury
Kaoru Mitoma may have completed a remarkable Brighton goal-of-the-season hat-trick but the Japan winger still believes another Seagulls strike was even better.
Mitoma picked up the award after fans voted for his superb left-foot volley in Brighton’s 3-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur from a perfectly delivered Pascal Gross cross.
It marks the third time the Albion star has won the club’s goal-of-the-season prize following previous victories for memorable finishes against Wolves and Chelsea.
Kaoru Mitoma makes surprise Brighton admission over best goal
Despite collecting the award once again Mitoma insisted Charalampos “Babis” Kostoulas produced Brighton’s finest strike of the campaign.
The young forward’s spectacular overhead kick in the 2-1 home win against Bournemouth had been shortlisted alongside Mitoma’s volley and several other standout efforts.
In a video message played to supporters during Brighton’s end-of-season awards night Mitoma said:
“Sorry I can’t be there tonight. Thank you very much to the fans for voting for my goal.”
The winger then surprised supporters by naming Kostoulas’s effort as his personal favourite.
“It means a lot to me but, for me, Babis’s goal is the best because that is an amazing goal.”
The humble response drew plenty of appreciation from fans with Kostoulas’s acrobatic finish already becoming one of the most talked-about goals of Brighton’s season.
Read more: Manchester United already exposed Brighton’s biggest final-day risk
A memorable season of stunning Brighton goals
Mitoma’s winner edged out strong competition in the final fan vote.
Diego Gomez’s impressive volley against Barnsley also made the shortlist while Jack Hinshelwood’s flowing team goal in the 2-0 win at Newcastle United and Yasin Ayari’s thunderbolt in Brighton’s victory over Spurs were among the other nominees.
Brighton supporters have been treated to no shortage of spectacular finishes throughout the campaign with several goals reflecting the attacking style Fabian Hurzeler has encouraged.
Also read: Danny Welbeck’s 200 Brighton games tell a story no one saw coming
Injury heartbreak for Mitoma
Mitoma was unable to attend the awards ceremony in person as he continues recovering from the hamstring injury that cruelly ended his domestic season.
The setback has also ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup with the winger instead sending a heartfelt message to supporters from afar.
Mitoma also took time to thank former team-mate Pascal Gross for the assist that helped create his winning strike against Spurs.
“I would also like to thank Pascal for giving me a brilliant assist. I hope you have a great night and see you all soon.”
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