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Matt Pole is joined by Brighton writer Derren Howard, Sam Morton, who covers both Albion and Crawley Town, and Red Devils expert Mark Dunford.

It is official. Transfer silly season is here, so there’s plenty of matters to discuss regarding Brighton & Hove Albion and Crawley Town.

This week, we’ll discuss surprise new contracts for a pair of Brighton stars, two young talents who look close to joining the Seagulls, and bring you all the major talking points from Mark’s chat with Crawley Town manager Scott Lindsey.

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Transcript
00:00Welcome to another episode of the Goal Math Action podcast where we take a look at all the latest goings-on at Brighton and Hove, Albion and Crawley Town.
00:07I'm Matt Poul and this week I'm joined by Brighton writer Darren Howard, Sam Morton who covers both Albion and Crawley Town and Red Devils expert Mark Dunford.
00:15It is official, transfer silly season is here so there's plenty of matters to discuss regarding Brighton and Hove, Albion and Crawley Town.
00:21This week we'll discuss surprise new contracts for a pair of Brighton stars, two young talents who look close to joining the Seagulls
00:27and we'll bring you all the major talking points from our very own Mr Dunford's chat with Crawley Town manager Scott Lindsay.
00:33You can read all the stories we are talking about in the videos and pictures online at sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport
00:38and you can check out other great videos on Shotstv.com and Freeview Channel 262.
00:42You may also be watching on latest TV so thank you very much for tuning in.
00:46This week saw Brighton announce their retain list ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
00:52Perhaps a standout announcement was Tack Lamptey agreeing a one-year contract extension with Albion.
00:56Darren, how surprising was this new contract for the full-back?
01:01I vaguely remember around January time he was quite close to joining Ajax.
01:05What's the meaning behind this turnaround do you think?
01:08Yeah, he's been linked to quite a few clubs over the last few months.
01:12His contract was running down and there wasn't any really serious talk of a new deal being offered for Tarek Lamptey.
01:18They tied down Joel Veltman who's a regular right-back slot when he's fully fit.
01:27He signed his contract extension much earlier but it seemed as though Lamptey was sort of moving towards the exit door.
01:33But I'm really pleased that he signed a new contract.
01:36I think being just a year, I think that probably reflects the injury issues that he's had over the past couple of years.
01:45He's a really explosive talent when he's on form, when he's fit and firing.
01:51But he seems to have a run in the team and then he's then hindered with injuries.
01:56And that's really sort of slowed his progress at Brighton.
02:00But when he's really at it, he's a real threat in the Premier League.
02:05And hopefully he can have a really good season next season.
02:10And then we can see sort of what happens to him from there, whether he's then going to go on and sign a longer contract or see what happens in the future.
02:18But it's good news that he's staying.
02:20I mean, I remember one particular match against Marseille in the Europa League where Brighton were 2-0 down after the first half and they were getting battered in Marseille.
02:30And it was Lamptey that really took the game.
02:33He was playing at left-back at the time and he took the game to Marseille in the second half.
02:38And he actually won the penalty, which then got the equaliser.
02:42But he was a real threat against Marseille.
02:44And I really hope he can get back to that type of form as well.
02:49And I think it's important as well that he can also play on the left flank as well.
02:53There's been a lot of talk with Pervis Estupinian.
02:55He came out with some quotes just after Ecuador's 0-0 draw with Peru last yesterday, saying that he may be moving on this summer.
03:05So if Lamptey's staying, he can play on the left side and he can obviously do the right-back slot, which is his more favoured position.
03:12So I think with Estupinian in mind and his injury issues as well, I think that's why the one-year contract came about.
03:20Do we know where Estupinian hopes to land, Darren?
03:23It's all very good against saying you want to leave, but if you've got no idea.
03:26Yeah, it's an interesting one.
03:28I imagine his agent is working feverishly behind the scenes trying to engineer something.
03:32But there has been talk of Manchester United and we were just saying previously that that could be a good move for him in terms of if he gets a good contract there.
03:42He's likely to start at Manchester United as well with the injury issues to Luke Shaw as they look to rebuild next season.
03:51So that could be one to watch out for.
03:53I think I'm likely to start for Man United next year.
03:56Has your agent been in touch, Mark?
04:02Not quite.
04:03My agent, Gary, is on holiday for three weeks.
04:08Yeah, you heard it here first.
04:10Dunford to United.
04:11Winger Abdallah Simmer has also signed a contract extension at Brighton.
04:15Simmer was recently linked when they moved to Olympiacos as part of Brighton's £30 million-plus attempt to sign Greek teenager.
04:21Can't believe I got that bit wrong.
04:23Not the next bit.
04:23Charalampos Costoulas, who we'll be discussing a bit later if I can pronounce his name.
04:29The Senegal international, who has spent time alone at Stoke, Angers, Rangers and Brest during his four-year spell at the Amex, has yet to make a senior appearance at Brighton.
04:36So is it surprising that he's been off the new deal, Sam?
04:39Because personally, I don't realistically see him having a future at Albion.
04:43How do you see it?
04:44Yeah, it's a real strange one.
04:45I'm wondering if they've maybe given him a contract to maybe get some more money for him if they were to sell him.
04:51And that's the only explanation I can think of at the moment.
04:53Because, I mean, the 23-year-old spent a season on loan at Rangers, where he was a great success, scoring 16 goals and assisting three across 39 appearances.
05:04A permanent transfer didn't materialise and he joined French side Brest on loan at the start of last season.
05:10He found the net 12 times for the French club, including three goals in the Champions League.
05:15There was no option to buy in that loan contract and he obviously returned to Brighton this summer.
05:21And questions have obviously continued about his future.
05:25And it did come as a bit of a surprise when he signed a new contract, because he's obviously never made a competitive appearance.
05:31He was actually on the bench for Senegal against England last night, which obviously wasn't a great result for him.
05:38He didn't actually come onto the field, so we couldn't get a look at him and see how he performed, which is a shame, because it would have been good.
05:45Good to see him play.
05:47Yeah, an interesting one.
05:48It's very difficult to know what Brighton's plans are for him.
05:51It could be that they obviously get a new contract in to hopefully increase his value in the transfer market.
05:57Or you never know, they might have a view to putting him in the team.
06:00They might have been impressed with what they've seen from him on loan for Rangers and Brest.
06:04And he might now make an impact in the Premier League.
06:07So, yeah, time will tell on this one.
06:09It's an intriguing one.
06:11Well done for saying Brest without laughing as well, Sam.
06:13You're a bigger man than I.
06:15Meanwhile, Diego Coppola looks set to be announced as a Brighton player later this week.
06:19The Seagulls are said to have agreed a fee of around £10 million, with Serie A outfit Hellas Verona and the 21-year-old Italian defender now looks set to complete his medical.
06:28This one's sort of been rumbling along in the background, isn't it, Darren?
06:31And what can you tell us about Coppola?
06:32And is defence an area that Brighton really need to bolster going into next season?
06:38It is, yeah, for sure.
06:40They struggled defensively last term.
06:42I think it was only the bottom six teams that conceded more than Brighton last season.
06:49And they, far and away, in the top half of the Premier League, they conceded the most.
06:53So, there's probably a number of reasons for that tactics.
06:57And also, they had a sort of a youthful midfield in front of the defence.
07:01But also, lots of injuries to Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster, Igor Julio, Joel Veltman was out for long periods.
07:08Jan-Paul Van Hecker, he was probably Brighton's most reliable defender.
07:11And I think they're looking for a long-term partner, probably, for Van Hecker.
07:16And I think Coppola could, you know, he could fit the bill.
07:20He looks a typical Brighton sign, and he's only 21 years of age.
07:24But he's been in and around the first team of Verona since 2022.
07:30He's a right-footed defender, six foot four.
07:33He offers, like, a physical presence as well.
07:35So, he did very well, actually, in Serie A last year.
07:39He played about 30 times, scored twice as well, which is always handy for a defender.
07:45Verona finished 14th, and he was called up for the Italian national team in the recent international break.
07:52He started in the 3-0 loss to Norway, which is not a great debut for him.
07:57But then he played also in the win against Moldova.
08:01He came on as a second-half substitute in the win against Moldova.
08:03So, he's very, very highly thought of in Italy.
08:07There were some reports that Juventus were having a look at him as well.
08:11But it was Brighton that made the decisive move.
08:14And he's expected to complete his medical this week and hopefully be announced in the coming days.
08:23But, yeah, it's definitely an area of the team that Brighton needed to strengthen.
08:28And he looks – I haven't seen much of him play.
08:31I haven't seen some of his games for Verona.
08:33But from the reports that we've read, he looks a decent prospect as well.
08:38So, one that may require some patience.
08:40He may not be straight, you know, regular straight, straight away.
08:44But I think if he can learn alongside the likes of Lewis Dunk as he goes along and introduced to the team,
08:50he could be a very good addition for Herzella next season.
08:54Well, sticking with incomings, Brian are also reportedly on the verge of completing a £34 million move for the aforementioned teenage forward,
09:03Costoulos from Olympiacos.
09:05Sky Sports News understand the player is keen on the potential move.
09:07And if a deal is completed, it will be the biggest transfer fee paid for a Greek player in history.
09:12What can you tell us about Costoulos, Sam?
09:14And like Darren mentioned with Coppola, is it going to be a case of if this transfer does go through where it's one of the future
09:21and supporters will have to probably be a bit patient with him?
09:24I think so.
09:25Yeah, absolutely.
09:25So, yeah, it's obviously great news to hear they've agreed a £34 million deal with Olympiacos, if reports are to be believed.
09:32And he impressed in the Super League in Greece with seven goals from 22 matches last year.
09:38And he also attracted interest from Chelsea and Tottenham.
09:42He had two goals and two outings for the under-21s at Greece, where he's played alongside Stefanos Simas,
09:49who signed for Brighton from FC Nuremberg for around £22 million.
09:53But, yeah, sports broadcaster Ben Jacobs, Sander Cousoulos, is set for Brighton Medical on Wednesday.
09:58So, later on today.
10:01And it's another typical Brighton signing, obviously 18 years old,
10:03will obviously come in as obviously a player that I'm familiar with the league.
10:09But we know from the history of Brighton, it can take a little bit of time to settle down.
10:13But we know that Brighton are the best at getting the best out of these kind of players
10:17and sending them on for much bigger transfer fees.
10:21It's obviously what they do best.
10:22And it does potentially spell an exit for João Pedro,
10:26which is obviously one that's been talked about quite a bit in recent weeks.
10:30He also fell out of favour with Hurts at the end of the season.
10:33Unfortunately, he had that training ground bust up with Van Heek,
10:36and it all seemed to go wrong after that red card at Brentford.
10:40And he seemingly threw his toys out of the pram a little bit towards the end of the season.
10:44So, it'll be interesting what happens with him.
10:46And Newcastle and Liverpool have both been linked with João Pedro.
10:51And the arrival of Cousoulos and Simas will certainly boost Hurts' options for next season.
10:56So, two positive signings, and if they do get Cousoulos in the door,
11:01I think I agree that fans will have to give him time.
11:04Sam's mentioned it there, Darren.
11:07Telegraph's Mike McGrath has claimed Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has turned his focus towards João Pedro
11:12because he looks for a full partner for Alexandre Rizak.
11:15And as Sam mentioned, Liverpool interest there.
11:18Is there much substance to any of these rumours?
11:20And I think we can basically say that João Pedro will be expected to leave this summer, no matter what happens.
11:26Yeah, I would be surprised if he stays, to be honest.
11:30I think he's done reasonably well for Brighton.
11:33He arrived from Watford in 2023 for then a club record of £30 million.
11:39That was obviously since the past when Jorginho Rutter signed,
11:42and they're going to pay more for the Shara Lampos Costoulas as well.
11:47So it's, with the arrival of Costoulas and Tissimas as well,
11:52I think that is going to, you know, speed up the exit of Pedro.
11:58And Newcastle do seem the most likely.
12:01It's not, there hasn't been anything confirmed at this stage.
12:05But yeah, I do expect some movement to go along.
12:09It looks like Isak is going to stay at Newcastle as well.
12:11So I thought he may be one of the ones that may move on.
12:16But yeah, you'd think that would be a nice partnership to have Isak and Pedro in the Champions League.
12:22That could be quite tempting.
12:25But it's, yeah, it's going to be, it just comes down to the fee and how much.
12:29I think Brighton would take, if they can double their money, double the £30 million they paid Watford for him.
12:34I think anything north of £60 million, I think Brighton would say thank you very much and he'd be on his way.
12:43And then it's then a case of who comes in.
12:46You know, you've then got Rutter, Welbeck, who would probably be the main strikers going forward.
12:52But you've got Evan Ferguson coming back from West Ham.
12:56What's going to happen to him?
12:57Julio and CISO, he was linked with a £25 million move to Inter Milan yesterday.
13:04And then Abdillah Sima, who Sam mentioned as well.
13:07So there's a few intriguing options and some big decisions for Brighton to make this summer.
13:13So, but yeah, my hunch is that Pedro will be on his way.
13:18Yeah, it all makes for a very interesting summer.
13:20And we will take a quick break now.
13:21But when we return, we will be discussing all things Crawley Town.
13:25Welcome back to part two.
13:27And it's been quiet in terms of transfers at Crawley Town after the signings of Rhys Brown and Harry McCurdy.
13:32But you caught up with Red's boss, Scott Lindsay, didn't you, Mark?
13:35How is he, first and foremost?
13:37And what's he been up to during the off-season?
13:40So, yeah, he seems fine.
13:41The biggest news is he's become a granddad for the first time.
13:44So his daughter Millie had a daughter Frankie.
13:48They live at home with Scott Lindsay.
13:50So I imagine he's a little bit tired, maybe, a screaming baby.
13:54I'm not suggesting that Frankie's a screaming baby, but we know what babies are like.
13:59So, yeah, that was the sort of big news.
14:00And he was absolutely delighted with that, obviously.
14:03But otherwise, he's been on holiday.
14:05But he's back now trying to sort out deals and all that.
14:09But this week he's popping in, he said he was going to the club to speak to Secretary Lewis Timms and Ricky McFarlane, the strength and conditioning coach, to talk about the amount of players they need, where these players are when they come back and the training camp and sorting out all the schedules, basically, for the next few weeks for when the players do return to training to see where they are in that.
14:32But he was on good form.
14:35We're going to come on to him, how he thinks the transfer window is going in that.
14:40But he did say, I did put to him that, has there been a change in the transfer policy?
14:45And he just said, yep.
14:47And it was all down to him, basically.
14:50Obviously, I imagine it was a big part of him coming back was getting assurances that they weren't going to sell all the best players like they did the previous summer.
14:57But with what's happened today, which we will come on to later, that I think fans are fearing the worst and that still might happen.
15:05But we'll come on to that later.
15:06But, yeah, he was on good form.
15:08And I think next week he's going to Slovakia to do his UEFA Pro licence for a few days.
15:17So he's getting more qualifications as a manager.
15:21So we might see some new ideas from Mr. Lindsay going forward into this season.
15:25Lindsay also spoke to Mark about the latest pair of signings, Sam.
15:31You can read that interview on sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport.
15:35How is he feeling about the transfer window so far?
15:39Yeah, I think he's really happy with those two signings in particular.
15:43He described them as experienced players who are special talents.
15:47He said he's really pleased with the two signings.
15:50They're both really good players for different reasons.
15:52He said Reece Brown was somebody he worked with at Forest Green.
15:55He's really smooth on the ball and he scores goals.
15:57A really good footballer who works hard.
15:59He probably hasn't reached the potential.
16:01But he's hoping obviously he'll do that at Crawley.
16:03And it's a good move for all parties, it looks like.
16:07And he thinks it's a really clever signing because he's a special talent.
16:10He trained with Crawley at the back end of last season.
16:13And he wanted him to come in to see where he was at in terms of his performance levels.
16:18And he was really impressed with his attitude, which he said was first class.
16:21He helped staff members put stuff away after training.
16:23And like in training, he was unbelievable and it was a no-brainer to get that deal over the line.
16:29And Harry McCurdy, again, described as a real special talent and a real character as well.
16:34The fans will love him, score goals and he'll create them as well.
16:37He had a golden season at Swindon, which what he did was unbelievable, as Scott said.
16:42He scored loads of goals and also in big games as well, scoring an unbelievable volley in the first day of the playoffs against Port Vale.
16:49He also scored against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
16:54And he said he was outstanding that season and the following season.
16:56He got his move to Hiburnian and did his bits and pieces up in Scotland.
16:59But he said the fans will love him and Crawley.
17:01So, yeah, he sounds really encouraged by the transfers so far.
17:06Since last week's podcast, there has still been no further updates on the six players who are in negotiations with the club.
17:12But remind us who those six players are, Mark, and what has Lindsay had to say about the talk?
17:17So I get the sense he's a little bit frustrated with how things have been going at the moment.
17:22Yeah, yeah, he is a thing.
17:23I think it's just a bit too slow with what's happening.
17:25Hope, you normally have when they have these contract negotiations, if they want to keep them, they normally happen quite quickly, don't they?
17:30But it seems to be a little bit out of Lindsay's hands at the moment.
17:34The players are club captain Dion Conroy, Harry Forster, Liam Fraser, Ryan Sanford, Jeremy Kelly and Joy McKenna.
17:42Now, five of those were in the promotion winning squad, everyone apart from Fraser.
17:47But Fraser, who really impressed me, I think he did Sam as well when he came in in the January transfer window, Canadian midfielder, did a really good job.
17:55No fuss, just did use the ball well, really good.
18:00But I'm getting the impression that Lindsay wants to keep all of them.
18:04But he said that it's the one thing that's been really frustrating is these negotiations.
18:10The players they want to keep have been slow, too slow for me, he said.
18:14And there has to come to a point where we're going to need decisions from these players, but we'll have to wait and see.
18:19So he's obviously really pushing.
18:20And I think Jeremy Kelly, I've seen, is playing in a tournament out in America at the moment, in the US.
18:26So whether that's a distraction, I mean, somebody said to me the other day that they've heard that Kelly and Fraser are looking for MLS contracts,
18:36or whether they're both looking to go back stateside.
18:39But you'd think Dion Conroy is a big one for Lindsay.
18:43He's always been Lindsay's general, as it were, club captain.
18:46And so you'd want him about Harry Forster had a lot of injury problems last year.
18:53So maybe try and keep him.
18:54But when he's on form, Harry Forster, he's a joy to watch.
18:57So and Ryan Sanford, we just haven't seen.
18:59But we know with Crawley's keeper situation, they'll want as many keepers as they can on the books to try and think.
19:05So it's and Joy McKenna was a really good defender during the promotion season.
19:09He turned out to be really key.
19:10Didn't start off.
19:11He started off in the fringes.
19:12And then the EFL trophy came along and he started in those.
19:16And then in the end, when Conroy got injured, he was playing in the centre of the back three and really impressed.
19:22So, I mean, I imagine they're all players that Lindsay wants to keep.
19:26So, but it's just, yeah, frustrating.
19:28The longer it goes on, you think, are they looking for something else?
19:31So, yeah, very frustrating for fans and Lindsay.
19:35Yeah, couldn't agree more.
19:37Fixture release date is also coming up in a couple of weeks.
19:39And even though we know Crawley Town are going to play everyone twice, everyone, including us, seems to get excited about it.
19:45Why is that, Sam?
19:46And which fixtures in particular will you be looking forward to this season?
19:50Yeah, it's a funny one, isn't it?
19:52As you say, obviously, it's exciting because it reveals a schedule for the upcoming season.
19:58And allows fans to maybe plan their attendance, pick out the ones they're most looking forward to and maybe pick out the ones they're going to take off work.
20:04And it's just a bit of anticipation, really.
20:07It just shows it's not too long till the season we'll be starting.
20:10And it gives the players and the fans a bit of a thrill to work out kind of what's coming up in the season.
20:16And maybe give a bit of a target as well, obviously, because you can balance the kind of expectations and anticipations for the season.
20:24Because we know, obviously, Scott, last season, kind of rubbish claims that Crawley should be favourites to come back up.
20:30But I think if they take the form they had at the end of last season, I think they'll be absolutely fine.
20:36And it's just important that they don't lose too many players.
20:38We'll be discussing and that'll go in shortly.
20:40But I think it'll be really important to try and keep hold of some of their key players if they can.
20:48And I think I know, obviously, again, mentioned them soon, but MK Dons, we know I've got a few Crawley Town players.
20:53And it'll be good to see Crawley up against them.
20:56I'm definitely looking forward to a rematch against MK Dons, as obviously that was the big one in helping Crawley get promoted to League One.
21:05So it'll be interesting to play them again.
21:06They've obviously got their struggles and got some Crawley Town players in their ranks.
21:10Sorry, former Crawley Town players in their ranks.
21:13So, yeah, it'll be an interesting game to look forward to, both home and away.
21:16Same question to you, Mark.
21:17Who are you looking forward to seeing at the Broadfield this season?
21:19Are there any away days that particularly catch your eye?
21:23I think MK Dons is going to be very interesting this year because there has been this real rivalry now in the last couple of years.
21:30So that'll be quite cool to watch.
21:32But Barnet, I'm interested to see because I haven't been in the League Two for a while now, a few years.
21:38It was one of the first games I ever saw at the Broadfield Stadium was Barnet.
21:41It was when I first moved to Crawley and I went along and watched the game.
21:44I remember Giuliano Grazzioli scoring an absolute screamer for Barnet, if anyone remembers his name, scored bags of goals for Barnet.
21:52So, yeah, looking forward to that.
21:53I was disappointed Southend didn't win in that thing because I'm not going to Oldham.
21:57I don't care what anyone says.
21:59I am not going to make the trip to Oldham.
22:01But, yeah, I think it is MK Dons and Barnet are the two that, yeah, I'm going to get excited about this year.
22:08But there's going to be some really good fixtures.
22:12But, yeah, Gillingham is always good with that connection with Lindsay.
22:16He lives there and that.
22:17So, yeah, no, yeah, it's going to be an interesting season, but I'm seeing a lot of predictions now and it looks like Crawley are going to be up there in a lot of the people's predictions this year.
22:29So, I don't know how Scott's going to handle that.
22:31He wants to be the underdog.
22:32Can't tempt you with Barrow away on a Tuesday night, Mark.
22:36Not interested in that one.
22:37Absolutely not.
22:38You literally can pay me, even if the company paid my expenses, which would be quite decent for 40p a mile.
22:44But, yeah, no, no way.
22:47No, that's a firm no from Mark Dunford.
22:48And finally, speaking of MK Dons, Crawley Town have announced their first major departure in the summer.
22:55Striker Russian Hepburn Murphy has joined fellow lead two side, MK Dons, on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
23:01The 26-year-old, who only joined Crawley last summer, finished the 2024-25 season with 11 goals in all competitions, higher than any other Reds player.
23:10I think it's safe to say that this kind of took us a little bit by surprise, Mark.
23:14How have the fans reacted to the departure?
23:16And can we now say with practical certainty that we expect McCurdy to lead the line next season for the Reds?
23:23Absolutely with McCurdy.
23:24Yeah, I think so.
23:25He's obviously a Scott kind of player, McCurdy.
23:28But I know Scott was a big fan of Rashawn Hepburn Murphy as well.
23:31And he had a great end of the season under when Lindsay returned because under Elliott, he was put out on the left.
23:37He was put out on the right.
23:38He played quite well at times, but he didn't play in that favoured position.
23:41But when Lindsay came back, he led the line, scored some goals and nearly saved them.
23:46But as you can imagine, the fan reaction has been, here we go again kind of thing.
23:51And it's happening again, isn't it?
23:53Because they're all fear that their star players are all going to leave one by one now.
23:57But we know what Wagme's model is.
23:59But with speaking to Lindsay the other day, I get the impression he's got more control over these transfers.
24:05I don't think players are going to leave unless it's a huge bid or Lindsay is like, right, I've got McCurdy now.
24:12I don't need Hepburn Murphy sort of thing.
24:14And there's still Will Swan in the squad, a striker who had a couple of purple patches throughout the season.
24:23So, yeah, but I think fans are fearing the worst now.
24:26But I was surprised to see this, especially the way Hepburn Murphy finished last season.
24:32Yeah, absolutely.
24:33Well, that's it for this week.
24:35We'll wrap it up there.
24:36And thank you very much to Darren, Mark and Sam for joining me.
24:38You can catch up with all the latest sports news covering everything we've talked about today.
24:42It's sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport.
24:44And you can watch more excellent videos on shotstv.com and preview channel 262.
24:48Thank you very much for listening and or watching.
24:50And we will see you all next week.

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