Brighton goalkeeper completes transfer to Premier League rivals

Brighton and Hove Albion continue to fine tune their squad ahead of their opening Premier League match against Chelsea on September 14
Brighton and Hove Albion FCBrighton and Hove Albion FC
Brighton and Hove Albion FC

Goalkeeper David Button has completed a permanent move to West Bromwich Albion.

The 31-year-old keeper heads to the Hawthorns, and ends a two-year spell as back-up to Albion keeper Mat Ryan.

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Button will provide competition for West Brom's current No 1 Sam Johnstone and bring additional top flight experience to Slaven Blic's newly-promoted team.

David Button has joined West Brom who Brighton face in today's final pre-season friendlyDavid Button has joined West Brom who Brighton face in today's final pre-season friendly
David Button has joined West Brom who Brighton face in today's final pre-season friendly

Ryan featured for the first 45 minutes of last Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw against Chelsea. He was replaced by Christian Walton at halftime, who has returned from a season long loan at Blackburn.

Walton injured his ankle in the second period and was stretchered off and replaced by Albion's Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

It was thought Walton's injury could scupper Button's switch to West Brom but the Brighton medical team believe it's not as serious as first feared.

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Head coach Graham Potter commented, “We have a lot of competition for the position, and this represents an excellent opportunity for David and the club.

“He is a good professional and has been great to work with over the past year or so; I would like to wish him well for the future and thank him on behalf of the club.”

Button began his career with Spurs, and after 13 separate loan spells with 11 different clubs, he moved to Charlton Athletic in 2012.

It was a year later, and a move to Brentford that he began to feature regularly, playing more than 100 games for the Bees.

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He moved to Fulham in 2016, where he played 60 times, helping the club to promotion in 2018, ahead of a move to the Albion.

Button made a total of 11 appearances for Albion, in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

The terms of the deal were undisclosed but reported to be in the region of £1m.

West Brom will complete their preparations for the new Premier League season with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Graham Potter's Brighton at the Amex today (Saturday, 3pm).

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Potter will be without six of his first-team squad with Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Joel Veltman (Holland), Aaron Connolly, Shane Duffy, Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) and Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden) all with their respective countries on international duty for this weekend's Nations League fixtures.

West Brom begin their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester City on Sunday, September 13, before Brighton face Chelsea at the Amex the following night.