Maty Ryan's status as Albion’s record signing will probably not last too long.

He might even have lost it by the time he lands in England to join up with his new colleagues next month.

But his claim to fame as being the subject of one of the Seagulls’ more dramatic deals will endure somewhat longer.

It is one which goes a long way to illustrating the strides the club have made and the enhanced standing they now enjoy on the world stage as a result of their Premier League membership.

The Ryan deal was constructed across continents and time zones, largely by chief executive Paul Barber and head of recruitment Paul Winstanley.

Barber reckons the deal was probably the most complex of Albion’s history.

But then, when you are dealing with a Danish agent based in Monaco, a Spanish club and a player who is back in Australia but preparing to leave for Russia, it can hardly be anything but challenging.

Now The Argus can reveal some of the complexities of a hectic few days which famously saw Barber and Winstanley run for their flight home in Valencia pursued by photographers after meeting with the top men at the Spanish club.

What Albion believe the deal underlines is how their rapidly increased profile and steadily expanding contacts book is helping them pull off what, until very recently, might have been the impossible.

The visit by Barber and Winstanley to visit the selling club was one of the more simple facets.

Once there, they knew they were dealing with one of the traditional Spanish powers.

They were treated regally by the hosts, who were keen to push through the Ryan deal, among others, to free up funds for new signings.

The executives dined on a classic Valencia paella, helped down by a select bottle of white wine, and agreed a fee of six million Euros.

They also talked football long into the afternoon – about how the two were progressing, about their very different but equally protracted moves to new stadia.

The chat could have lasted all evening. The Albion pair would have loved it to.

But they had to stop so they could rush home in time for Barber’s appointment at his first Premier League AGM representing the club.

Hence the dash for the airport as the lenses clicked.

The Argus:

“We were being pursued but that wasn’t why we were running.” Barber said. “They key reason was we only had 20 minutes to make our flight.”

Ryan is the fourth player in the last seven years to swap Valencia for Albion following Vicente, Bruno and B team centre-forward Fran Sandaza.

But he is the first to make that move while under contract at Mestalla and Albion hope the businesslike way in which the deal was agreed will do their standing among Spanish clubs no harm at all.

Vicente, who has a role in Valencia’s recruitment department, was not involved in the deal but it is thought the way he speaks highly of the Seagulls also helped their cause.

So far, so good. Barber was sitting alongside his Premier League counterparts in Harrogate on time.

But Albion had a player who was in Melbourne and was focused on international action – and had a flight to catch to Russia.

That was where more contacts came in. The club used a sports doctor they know and trust in Australia – specifically, Tony Bloom’s brother-in-law – to conduct the medical in constant communication with their own medical staff.

Albion also received medical information from Valencia and the Australia national team.

The Argus:

Personal terms were hammered out through Ryan’s representative Mikkel Beck, the former Middlesbrough and Denmark striker now based in Monaco.

This could be done by phone and email although Beck also made a visit to the training ground in Lancing to get a real feel for what he letting his client in for.

When asked about the nitty gritty of sorting out his contract, Ryan said: “I’ve got my agent to take care of that.”

However, the keeper spoke at length with both Albion boss Chris Hughton and goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts.

Barber said: “Players want to have that conversation. Ben has done a lot of work on Maty over a period of time.

“Even if we can’t see a player face-to-face, we want to converse and get a measure of the guy as well as the player.”

Albion’s urgency was largely down to a natural desire to finish something they had started.

There is not thought to have been another club racing to beat them to the punch. But they were also aware that could have changed had Ryan enjoyed an impressive Confederations Cup.

The contract was prepared as the player flew to Sochi for the tournament. That was when the staff accompanying the Socceroos played their part.

The Aussie management oversaw the signing of the contract and their media team took pictures and helped with interviews and video.

Ryan had also done his homework, talking to Aussie players from the Championship – including Albion target Aaron Mooy – about what life on and off the field was likely to be like in Brighton.

It is not that long since prospective signings were taken for a walk along the seafront or met in a venue halfway down the M23.

Times have changed. More big, complex, multi-national deals might follow.

But this one will long be remembered by those involved as the first of its kind.