The deal is one of 11 handed to academy players by the club this summer.
Ferdinand, who joined Brighton's academy in July 2024, has established himself as a left-sided centre-back for the club's Under-18 side, which he has captained, making 43 appearances with two goals and one assist last season.
He wears the number five shirt long associated with his father's career, and his passing range and composure on the ball have drawn early comparisons with Rio, who made more than 300 appearances for Manchester United and won 81 England caps across a 12-year spell at Old Trafford that yielded 14 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Rio announced the news on Instagram, writing: "Proud moment with the family, my boy @tateferdinand5 signed his first pro contract @officialbhafc. Keep up the hard work."
Tate is the second of Rio's sons to sign professional terms at Falmer stadium, following older brother Lorenz, a goalkeeper who agreed his own first contract with Brighton last year after progressing through the club's academy from Under-13 level.
Lorenz has already gained senior experience on loan at non-league Havant & Waterlooville and was part of Brighton's Under-21 side that won the Premier League 2 play-offs last season, meaning the brothers could eventually feature for the club's youth or reserve sides together, with Tate playing in front of his goalkeeper sibling.
Since retiring in 2015, Rio Ferdinand has built a media career including his own YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, which has attracted 1.6 million subscribers, and worked with FIFA around the 2026 World Cup, including hosting the tournament draw in December 2025.
Brighton confirmed Ferdinand's deal alongside first professional contracts for Sebastian Ademola, Isaiah Alakiu, Adam Brett, Liam Crutchett, Younes Ibrahim, Henry Kasvosve, Jesse Middleton and Theo Outen, along with recent arrivals Oliver Mayer and George Munday.
The club has said it is working to ensure Tate develops without unrealistic expectations shaped purely by his father's name, though his comfort in possession already fits the profile Brighton demand from their centre-backs, who are expected to contribute in build-up play as well as defend.