ALBION staved off late competition for Beram Kayal from Championship rivals Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton boss Neil Lennon was interested in re-signing the Israeli midfielder he took to Celtic.

But Kayal was already committed to joining the Seagulls.

Lennon signed Kayal for Celtic from Maccabi Haifa on a four-year deal in July 2010, within seven weeks of becoming the Glaswegian giants' full-time manager after a spell in caretaker charge.

Kayal's £325,000 move to Albion on a two-and-a-half-year contract is subject to the club securing a work permit.

They need clearance from the FA and Home Office to complete the 26-year-old's capture.

Boss Chris Hughton and chief executive Paul Barber are at Wembley today to state Albion's case.