Albion midfielder Darren Currie today began life as an Ipswich player after a shock £250,000 move.

The Seagulls have reluctantly sold the 30-year-old playmaker because of their crippling financial crisis.

Manager Mark McGhee, who snapped Currie up from Wycombe on a free transfer at the start of the season, and chairman Dick Knight were in the process of negotiating a deal which would have kept him at the club until the end of the 2006-2007 season.

But Ipswich's offer was too good to turn down and Currie now has a chance of fulfilling his dream of playing in the Premiership.

McGhee said today: "It's a bitter blow, but I am absolutely party to the club's financial plight and under no illusions that we have to accept an offer of this magnitude.

"I have been delighted with what Darren has done this season. However, in light of Ipswich's bid, it was difficult for us to stand in his way.

"Darren wants the opportunity to play at the top end of the Championship, but we still did all that we could to try to keep him. Dick refused several offers from Ipswich and I have tried to persuade him he should stay, but I couldn't win the argument.

"They are a team with a fabulous set up, a superb stadium and are at the top end of the division pushing for a place in the Premiership as opposed to our situation. People have to accept that."

Knight said: "I am extremely sorry, as all Albion fans will be, to see Darren leave.

"He's been a key player this season but in our current financial situation the board were unanimous that we had no choice but to accept the sum Ipswich finally offered us."

Currie makes his debut at QPR tomorrow. Richard Carpenter takes his place for Albion's visit to Millwall.