Sussex

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler believes new signing Maxim de Cuyper brings a 'winner's mentality' in to his squad.

The 24-year-old left-back has signed from Club Brugge on a five-year-deal and will join up with his team-mates this weekend.

"Maxim arrives having won the league and cup in recent years with Brugge," said Hurzeler. "It's great that despite his young age, he clearly has a winner's mentality.

"We're excited to work with him."

Maxim came through the youth ranks with Brugge, making his professional debut in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the last 32 of the Europa League in 2020.

"Maxim is a creative left-back who has great experience at Champions League level as well as in the domestic league," Hurzeler added.

"He has a great reputation for creativity and has shown his ability across different positions, although we primarily see him challenging for a left-back spot with us.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have added Dutch goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar to Fabian Hurzeler's backroom staff.

The 44-year-old has worked at NAC Breda, Anderlecht, where he worked with Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen, Burnley, Manchester United and Leicester City alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"Jelle is an outstanding coach, and we're really pleased he is joining us," Hurzeler said. "He has so much experience of European football and the Premier League and will be a strong addition to our coaching staff."

During his playing career Jelle made nearly 500 appearances for eight clubs, seven of them in the Netherlands including nearly 400 games for Breda

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the news that Joao Pedro has joined Chelsea in a deal worth £60m and your initial reaction to the transfer.

Here are some of your comments:

Fran: Selling Pedro is a good bit of business for the Albion. I always thought he was inconsistent. He was always reliable as a penalty taker but you need more. I would be more sorry if we lost Mitoma. Anyway, good luck to Pedro in Brighton's reserve team!

Ted: For an established Premier League goal scoring forward - a profile in short supply - this looks somewhat cheap. I hope Brighton have a ready-made replacement in mind as we look a bit light up front.

Lawrence: Pleased. He's a great player and gives 100% in and out of the training/Premier League games. My only concern is he's hot-headed and can be a tad aggressive which lands him into trouble. Is that a bad thing or good thing? Time will tell but he has fallen out with a few players here and has received red cards so can be a liability. But, when he's on his game he's fabulous to watch. I wish him well.

Alastair: Brighton don't make many mistakes with player sales and this isn't one of them. Pedro only shows his best in flashes and gets petulant when Brighton concede or his fellow players are trying to walk the ball into the net, which is a common problem at the Amex. I expect he'll be swallowed up by the masses of failed transfers at Stamford Bridge. As ever Brighton are meanwhile quietly recruiting the next £60m sell-on.

Paul: Joao Pedro is undoubtedly a gifted player and I have had the privilege of seeing him score some cracking goals. However, I've never been convinced that he was 100% committed to the club. His demeanour and his interaction with other players just left me feeling his heart wasn't in it and he had his eyes on bigger, shinier things. He looked bored. He'll fit in well along the Kings Road and its London living and nightlife. Best of Brighton luck to the lad.

Alex: Obviously a loss on the pitch, but for every big moment there'd be games he went missing, and with Rutter, Gruda and perhaps Buonanotte all capable of playing in the same role, I think it's a good move. Rutter an upgrade as well I believe.