An in-depth look into our latest recruit, Steven Alzate…
Born in Camden, London, to Colombian parents, Steven Alzate began his youth career at local side Leyton Orient. Progressing through the O’s illustrious academy, the midfielder made his professional debut in February 2017 in a 4-1 away defeat against Stevenage.
His next appearance was his first start for the club in March, playing the full game in a 4-0 win away at Newport County, scoring the opening goal and recording an assist for Josh Koroma’s hat-trick. Providing another assist in a 2-1 win over Hartlepool United, Leyton Orient were relegated from the EFL, with Alzate netting once and registering two assists in 12 outings.
Despite relegation, the then 18-year-old’s form attracted the interest from other clubs, joining Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee in July 2017. Making his Premier League 2 debut for Brighton’s Under-21 side in August 2017, he netted on his maiden appearance in a 4-2 win over Fulham before scoring again four days later against Reading Under-21s.
Featuring twice in the EFL Trophy in group fixtures against Oxford United and Stevenage, Alzate was a key figure for Brighton’s Under-21s as they won the Premier League 2 play-offs, defeating Aston Villa 2-0 in the final in May 2018.
Featuring 23 times in all competitions, scoring three and assisting once, the midfielder made the switch to League Two side Swindon Town on a season-long loan in July 2018. Recording an assist on debut in a 3-2 win over Macclesfield Town a month later before recording a further two in a 3-2 victory against Tranmere Rovers in his third league appearance, Alzate scored his first goal for the club with a 20-yard strike in a 3-0 win over Yeovil Town in September 2018.
On New Year’s Day 2019, the midfielder was ruled out for at least three months after he was diagnosed with a stress fracture to his back, with the loan deal at Swindon expiring eight days later. In total, he featured 26 times for the Robins, scoring three and recording four assists.
Making his comeback for Brighton Under-21s in the Premier League 2 against Everton in April 2019, Alzate featured twice for the Seagulls’ Under-21 side at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, but featured more heavily for the first team. Recording an assist on his first-team debut in a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup second round in August 2019, Alzate made his Premier League debut a month later when starting against Newcastle United as a left midfielder. Featuring 21 times in the first team, the now-26-year-old suffered a long-term groin injury, which meant he missed the final 10 games.
The 2020/21 campaign saw Alzate return to the first team, scoring his first Brighton goal in a 2-1 win over Blackpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January 2021, assisting the other goal. A month later, he scored his first Premier League strike, netting the only goal of the game in a famous 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. Featuring once for the Under-21 side, Alzate ended the season with 17 appearances for the first team.
An ankle injury restricted the midfielder to just 12 outings the following campaign, before he featured for the Under-21s against Liverpool in Premier league 2 in August 2022. Ten days later, he scored on his final Brighton appearance, a 3-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the second round of the EFL Cup.
In September 2022, Alzate joined Belgium top flight side Standard Liège on loan for the season. Making his debut against RFC Seraing, the midfielder scored his first goal on only his third appearance in a 3-0 win over Royal Antwerp. Netting his second goal in the reverse fixture against Antwerp, Alzate recorded four assists in his final five appearances of the regular league season as they reached the European play-offs. Featuring 29 times, scoring three and recording five assists, Alzate returned to Brighton and was an unused substitute for their 2023/24 season opener against Luton Town.
In September 2023, Alzate returned to Standard Liège on loan for a second spell. Featuring 25 times, he scored twice and registered four assists before being released by Brighton at the end of the last campaign.
Internationally, Alzate represents Colombia through his parents. Given his debut by Carlos Queiroz in November 2019 when featuring as a 74th-minute substitute in a 1-0 friendly win over Peru, he made his first start four days later in a 1-0 victory over Ecuador. In total, the 26-year-old has seven caps to his name, featuring four times in friendly fixtures and playing three games in World Cup qualification matches, with his most recent outing coming in September 2022 in a 3-2 win over Mexico.
