Albion have loaned out Vitalijs Maksimenko again – to give him first team football and help his international career.

The versatile Latvian defender has joined Dutch second division outfit VVV-Venlo on a season-long loan.

Maksimenko’s latest temporary exit was the only transfer business done by the Seagulls on deadline day, having already signed 11 players this summer.

The 23-year-old was borrowed by Yeovil soon after joining Albion from Latvian side Skonta Riga in January 2013.

He was also loaned out in the second half of last season to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League.

Maksimenko’s chances of adding to his three outings for Albion were bleak. He has been used at left-back but plays for his country at centre-half and is regarded by boss Sami Hyypia as fourth choice for that position behind skipper Gordon Greer, Lewis Dunk and Aaron Hughes.

Hyypia said: “At this stage of his career it’s important for Vitalijs that he plays regular games and continues to learn as part of his development.

“He’s a good defender, a very good professional, and a player who works hard, trains well and wants to get better, but his options here this season are limited with the defenders we have at the club.

“At the moment he would be our fourth choice, but at his age he needs to play regular first team football, which is also important for his international aspirations, and therefore we have agreed to let him go on loan to Venlo.”

Maksimenko is on international duty for Latvia in a home friendly against Armenia tomorrow night and a Euro 2016 qualifier in Kazakhstan next Tuesday.

Albion will not be left short if they run into injury or suspension problems in the centre of defence. The loan window opens soon and Rohan Ince and Inigo Calderon have both played at the heart of the back four in the past.