Midfielder Dale Stephens wants to go for goal after signing a three-and-a-half year deal with Albion.

But the 24-year-old is ready to dig in to help his new club to the play-offs.

The Charlton Athletic favourite signed for an undisclosed fee believed to be about £500,000 last night.

He is being seen as a replacement for Andrew Crofts, who chipped in with six goals from midfield before seeing his season cut short by a knee injury.

There could be more activity at The Amex before the transfer window closes tonight.

Spanish striker David Rodriguez is interesting the Seagulls although reports in Spain that a deal had been done were premature.

Stephens offers Championship experience and sewed up his move after passing a medical yesterday. He links up with Albion boss Oscar Garcia and assistant Nathan Jones, who he knows from their time together at Charlton.

Stephens said: “I know Oscar likes to play good football and, with Nathan’s influence, it is really appealing to me and one of the major reasons I came to this club.

“Albion have always been a difficult side to come up against and they have always played the best football in any division they have been in.

“I like to get forward and score a few goals but I know I have got responsibilities on the defensive side of things.

“I try to get involved with everything I can but if the manager has a certain role he wants me to play then I will obviously do that, so now my first port of call is meeting the lads and getting in the side.”

Rodriguez would be available to Albion without a transfer fee after he settled up the remaining five months on his contract at top-flight Spanish outfit Celta yesterday.

The lightning fast 27-year-old came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid.

He is s proven second-tier goalscorer in his homeland but was unable to force his way back into the Celta team this season after returning from a loan stint at Sporting Gijon.