Brighton's next player? Sturm Graz faces the young Scot

Will SK Sturm Graz strike again in the Premier League?

Although the Blackies' focus these days is undoubtedly on the championship run in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, the team's planning for next season may already be well underway.

There have been big question marks for some time now behind the futures of top players and standouts such as Jusuf Gazibegovic, Otar Ketishvili and Stefan Herlander, as well as the futures of sporting director Andreas Scheker and successful coach Christian Elzer.

So it is clear that a lot has to happen and will happen in reverse next summer. However, the Scottish Daily Record now has a new personality with the possibility of a change of leaders in the Austrian Senate.

(Text continues below video)

Will the next Brighton player score?

As reported by popular media now, Sturm Graz is said to be in line for Mark Leonard.

The 22-year-old Scot, who is under contract with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, is said to have found his way onto the books of several clubs during his second loan spell at English third-tier club Northampton Town.

Polish top club Legia Warsaw, Championship clubs Preston Northend and Portsmouth, FC Zurich, as well as reigning Austrian FA Cup champions, are said to be targeting the central midfielder.

Leonard, who has managed at Glasgow Rangers, Hearts FC and most recently Brighton, has been on the field in each of Northampton's 46 league matches, contributing five goals and six assists.

Familiar faces of SK Sturm

Next summer, the seven-time Under-21 international will return to his regular club Brighton & Hove Albion. Leonard has a contract with the “Seagulls” until the summer of 2025. He has made his only professional appearance so far in the UEFA Cup.

At SK Sturm, Leonard will be in the best company of a compatriot and regular teammate. Since last summer, Scotland Under-21 international Max Johnstone has been under contract with Morstadt.

Currently injured goalkeeper Kjell Scherben is also on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion to Graz.