Brighton and Graham Potter confirm another major signing for '£15m' ahead of West Ham clash

Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed the signing of defender Pervis Estupinan from La Liga side Villarreal for a fee believed to be around £15m.

The Ecuador international and 2021 Europa League winner has signed a contract until June 2027.

Estupinan is the third permanent signing to arrive at the Amex as he joined Paraguay teenager Julio Enciso, who joined for around £8.5m and Ivorian attacker Simon Adingra who agreed a £7m deal from Nordsjælland, before being loaned to Union SG.

Talented young Chelsea defender Levi Colwill also arrived on a season loan.

Estupinan, however, is an important signing for Albion as it adds further options to the left flank after Marc Cucurella’s £60m exit to Chelsea.

Head coach Graham Potter said, “We’re excited by what Pervis brings us and he fills a position to which we’ve been looking to add depth.

“In addition to his international experience, he has played for Villarreal in the Champions League and Europa League, as well as gaining plenty of experience in La Liga.

“We will help him to settle here in England, but we’re looking forward to working with him and seeing him in action in the Premier League.”

The 24-year-old played for LDU Quito in his homeland at the beginning of his career, before signing for Watford in 2016.

He spent four seasons out on loan in Spain with Granada, Almeria, Mallorca and Osasuna, before joining Villarreal permanently in 2020.

Pervis would help Unai Emery’s team to the Europa League title in his first campaign and departs the Spanish side having made 74 appearances in all competitions.

He has made 26 appearances for Ecuador and was named in the Copa America Team of the Tournament in 2021 as La Tri reached the semi-finals.