Albion supporters’ excitement ahead of Ajax match

The Seagulls face Dutch side Ajax at the Amex Stadium on Thursday night

Brighton & Hove Albion supporters and a player from the Netherlands have shared their excitement ahead of the club's third European match.

The Seagulls face Dutch side Ajax at the Amex Stadium on Thursday night.

Dutch Albion fan Werner Schroer said the match would be “something really special”.

Meanwhile, Albion star Joel Veltman said he had dreamt of facing his former club when the Europa League draw was made.

The defender, who made more than 240 appearances for Ajax before joining the Seagulls in 2019, said playing against them would be “difficult”.

“You have some imaginations, but once you’re on the pitch and the whistle blows, it will be fine,” he said.

“I played there since I was 10 until I was 27, 28 years old. So when the draw happened, I was hoping for Ajax. It’s special to play against your old team.”

Albion defender Joel Veltman played for Ajax under now Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

Albion currently sit bottom of Group B with one point, but are just three points behind leaders AEK Athens.

“Even though we have one point, it is really open and we can be first in the group. That is what we’re aiming for,” Veltman added.

Ajax have won numerous European trophies but have had a poor start to the season and coach Maurice Steijn left this week by mutual consent.

Mr Schroer said it was the “perfect moment” to face the Eredivisie side.

“In the Marseille game, you saw we are learning and adapting quickly. So I think we will get six points against Ajax across the two matches,” he told BBC Radio Sussex.

Albion supporter David Thompson, from Hove, said a noisy Amex Stadium and the “internal turmoil” at Ajax would help the Seagulls.

“Marseille away was probably the loudest, most intimidating atmosphere at any sporting event I’ve been to. It set a benchmark.

“If Brighton could replicate just 20% of that, it’ll be deafening tonight.”

“We will win,” he added.