'Terrific' - Brighton star and Tony Bloom favourite exits after 191 appearances
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Brighton chairman led the praise for Joel Veltman as the defender left the club after six years service.
Veltman joined from Ajax in 2020 for around £900, 000 and made 191 appearances. He has been one of the club’s best value signings of their Premier League era.
The 34-year-old’s contract expired last week and despite initial talks on a new deal, the decision was made to part company. Veltman has previously been linked with a return to his former club Ajax.
Bloom said, “Joel has been a terrific player during his six years with us. We knew we’d pulled off a coup to sign him and he has delivered on and off the pitch as we had hoped he would.
“He has been an important player in our upward trajectory during his time with us, including playing a number of games in the season we qualified for Europe for the first time.
“Just as importantly, he and his family have been huge advocates for the Foundation throughout their time in Brighton, regularly attending and supporting events, going above and beyond in every way. “
Bloom added: “We are very thankful to Joel and wish him the best in his next move.”
Veltman departs having helped us finish in the top ten on four occasions, including the season in which Albion secured sixth place and a spot in the Europa League.
Brighton defence overhaul
Veltman’s exit is part of a defensive overhaul at Brighton. Portuguese right back Costinha arrived from Olympiacos for around £8m and earlier today Michael Svoboda signed for Albion from Venezia as the Austrian international joined for around £5m.
Centre back Pascal Struijk also signed this week from Leeds United for £18m and Brighton are set to smash their transfer record to land Croatian centre back Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham for a whopping £50m.
Earlier this window Brighton sold Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham for £52m and experienced centre back Adam Webster left after his contract expired. Brazilian defender Igor Julio is also expected to go this summer.
Lewis Dunk, Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola remain as the other centre back options. Coppola has though been linked with a move to Lazio.