Brighton: Sammy Lee and Antti Niemi join coaching staff

Lee (left) and Niemi (right) have both previously worked with Brighton boss Sami Hyypia

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Sami Hyypia has appointed Sammy Lee and Antti Niemi to his backroom staff.

Ex-Bolton Wanderers boss Lee joins as assistant manager while former Finland international Niemi has been appointed goalkeeping coach.

Lee, 55, was on the coaching staff at Liverpool when Hyypia was a player at the Premier League club.

Former Southampton and Fulham keeper Niemi, 42, was an international team-mate of the Seagulls boss.

Lee began his coaching career at Liverpool and, after a spell with England with Sven-Goran Eriksson, joined Bolton in 2005 and was appointed manager in April 2007.

His spell in charge of Wanderers ended six months later and he subsequently re-joined Liverpool as part of Rafael Benitez's coaching staff.

The former Liverpool and England midfielder left Anfield in 2011 and returned to Bolton, where he was made head of academy coaching and development.

Niemi played more than 160 league games during his time in England and also played for Rangers and Hearts in Scotland. Since retiring, Niemi has spent time as goalkeeping coach for the Finland national side and Finnish club side HJK.

"They are two great characters and will bring a great deal to the club, to the players, and to me personally as manager," Hyypia told the Brighton website.

"Sammy's and Antti's coaching credentials are first rate.

"Sammy has played and coached at the top level of football domestically and with England. Antti has played in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues, so he knows British football very well."

Meanwhile, Thomas Barnden has stepped up from his position with Brighton's academy to become first-team strength and conditioning coach.