Wycombe Wanderers land defender James Tunnicliffe

Tunnicliffe signed a three-year deal with Brighton in 2009

Wycombe Wanderers have signed defender James Tunnicliffe on a one-year deal following his release from Brighton.

The 22-year-old spent the entirety of last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, where he played 27 games.

A signing from Stockport two years ago, Tunnicliffe featured 20 times for the Seagulls, and he becomes Wycombe boss Gary Waddock's sixth summer signing.

"James is a talented young centre-back with experience of playing at this level," Waddock told the club website.

"He's a footballing defender who can play out from the back. A lot of clubs were interested in him and it's taken a little longer than we would have liked, but we're delighted we've been able to add him to the group."

A Stockport youth product, he played 50 times for the Edgeley Park club and, after a loan spell with Northwich Victoria, joined Brighton in the summer of 2009.

The centre-half made an early impression in his first campaign on the south coast, racking up a string of appearances, but finished the season on loan at MK Dons.

His stint with Rovers last term means he has failed to make an appearance for Gus Poyet's side in the last 12 months, and despite his contract not expiring until next year, he was allowed to walk away from the club.