Albion are hoping Danny Pappoe and George Cole can follow Rohan Ince into the first team after confirming the captures of the former Chelsea pair for the development squad.

Centre-half Pappoe, 20, and 19-year-old attacking midfielder Cole have agreed one-year contracts following successful trials for Simon Ireland’s side during pre-season.

Fellow Chelsea youth product Ince broke into Albion’s first team last season after signing initially for the development squad.

Head of football David Burke said: “It is another positive sign for the club that young players that have been at some of the biggest clubs in England are seeking out Brighton as a place to go, because there is a realistic pathway for them to the first team.”

Pappoe has already made his League debut during an injury-shortened loan spell from Chelsea to Colchester.

He has also represented Ghana under-20s, while Cole was a target for Albion’s Championship rivals Ipswich and Brentford.

Ireland said: “Both have good experience having played at a club of Chelsea’s stature and we feel they will help us be competitive and provide some stability during our first season as a category one side.

“With so many players taking the step up to the first team recently there has been a void in our under-21s that our under-18s have filled, but we needed to bring in more faces at under-21 level so that we don’t over exert our youngsters too early.”

One of them will not be Roderigue Ndiane. Albion have decided against taking on the Cameroon defensive trialist.