Albion boss Chris Hughton has backed new talisman Tomer Hemed to cope with being seen as the club’s next Ulloa.

Hughton accepts comparisons are inevitable between the No.9 he has signed and Ulloa, especially as both were bought from Spanish club Almeria.

Ulloa scored 26 goals in 58 appearances for the Seagulls before an £8 million move to Leicester last summer and has continued to thrive in the Premier League.

Hughton said of Israeli international Hemed: “There are always comparisons. Hemed is a No.9 that has played as the lone striker or as one of a two up front. He has that flexibility, which is good.

“He’s somebody that wants to get service in the box. His hold-up play is good. Probably similar in some ways to Ulloa he’s not a real quick one that is going to run at people. He is a good, intelligent No. 9, six foot, not six-foot two, but he’s also very good and competitive in the air.

“Of course I understand there will be comparisons. This is somebody that is a good, solid, all-round number nine, with La Liga and international experience.

“The first thing is he wants to do well. He is 28, he’s had four years in Spain, this is a wonderful challenge for him. He is very excited to be here and the prospect of doing well. If he doesn’t do well it won’t be for the lack of trying.

“He’s a good age. This is not a young player still earning his stripes, this is a player that is bang in his prime. Apart from his quality he brings experience as well.”

Meanwhile, 15-year-old Irish whizz-kid Jayson Molumby has arrived in England ready to get down to work at Albion’s academy in Lancing.

The Argus revealed in April that Albion saw off competition from West Brom, Aston Villa, Birmingham and Blackburn to sign the versatile Republic of Ireland under-16s international for three years, one as a scholar and two as a pro.

The annual pre-season fans’ forum, giving fans a chance to quiz Hughton and chief executive Paul Barber takes place at the Amex on August 6 (6.45pm), two days before the opening game of the season at home to Nottingham Forest.