Brighton have confirmed the signing of midfielder Adam Lallana from Liverpool on a three-year contract.
The former Southampton star had been undergoing a medical with the Seagulls but his move has now gone through after celebrating the Premier League title with the Reds last week.
Speaking for the first time since signing with the club, Lallana said it was ‘the perfect match’, admitting it was an easy choice after Brighton made him feel ‘wanted’.
‘I can’t wait, it’s a breath of fresh air coming down here… having my medical done, everything’s new and It’s challenge I’m looking forward to and I can’t wait to get started.
‘The whole infrastructure and ambition around Brighton excites me. There is so much young talent, so much ability.
The manager’s highly sought after and it was a pretty easy choice in the end – especially given how much Brighton have reached out and its nice to know you’re wanted and I think it’s a perfect match.’
His new manager Graham Potter said he was looking forward to working with him and hailed his ‘wealth of experience’, insisting there was ‘no doubting’ his quality.
‘There is no doubting Adam’s quality, and if you look at his footballing CV his ability is clear for everyone to see,’ Potter said.
‘He has played at the very highest level, for both club and country, and achieved great things. He has a wealth of experience alongside his technical quality.
‘The honours he won during his time at Liverpool, and the high regard in which he is held at Anfield, only further underline his ability and character.
‘Adam is a really exciting signing for us, someone I am sure the supporters will be really looking forward to seeing play as and when things are able to begin to return to normal.
‘To have both his experience and quality out on the pitch will be a great addition for us, and I know he will be an excellent role model for our younger players in the squad.
‘I am really looking forward to working with him when we return for pre-season training in a few weeks.’
Lallana posted a picture of himself holding up a Brighton shirt on Instagram. The 32-year-old, who will wear the number 14 shirt, said he ‘couldn’t be more excited’ to begin the new chapter and was ‘proud’ to be linking up with the club.
So a new adventure begins,’ he wrote. ‘Couldn’t be more excited… a club with ambition and hunger to match my own. I’m ready for it. Delighted and proud to be joining the Brighton family. Can’t wait to get started.’
Lallana arrives at Brighton having won a host of trophies for Liverpool in his six years at Anfield. An impressive CV includes the Premier League title, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
He joined Liverpool in 2014 after catching the eye at boyhood side Southampton and went on to play 178 games for the club scoring 22 goals.