Fans favourite Inigo Calderon has never found it tougher to get game time with Albion.

But, as members of a cosmopolitan squad represent their countries or enjoy something second tier clubs in other nations do not have – an international break – the Basque right-back been hailed as pioneer.

Manager Chris Hughton and first team coach Nathan Jones reckon the Seagulls have got it just right in helping their players from overseas adapt.

And, amid the strategic staff appointments made by the Seagulls to support their playing staff off the pitch, Jones reckons the No.14 has also played a key role.

Jones knows what it is like to play abroad.

And he believes the Seagulls’ off-field set-up has allowed players such as Tomer Hemed and Uwe Huenemeier to settle immediately.

He told The Argus: “There couldn’t be many nationalities that couldn’t settle here.

“We have recruited staff and developed an environment that is conducive to any nationality that comes in.

“Someone like Calde was a pioneer.

“To integrate into a new environment you have to embrace the environment and be open-minded.

“Then you obviously have to do well on the pitch.

“Calde learnt English and settled into the community very quickly.

“I had to do that when I went to Spain.

“There has to be the right mentality from the player but the environment here helps them do that.

“Any Spanish player who comes over, South American or whatever, will not be lacking in conversation, will not be lacking in someone to help him out.

“We have a support team, people like Gibbo (players liaison officer Steve Gibbon).

“It’s a really good club. We have a support network here which is outstanding.”

Hughton admits things were very different when, as a Tottenham player, he saw Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa arrive from Argentina.

“The players who came in when I was a player were very much in at the deep end,” he said.

“There is no doubt there is wonderful structure in place here to look after foreign players.

“But I think this club here is just a reflection of where top clubs have to be.”

Albion’s foreign contingent extends to the under-18s, where Luis Garcia, from the Canary Islands, scored his first goal last week after a frustrating wait for international clearance.

Garcia has been in England for more than a year and was taken under the wing of older compatriots.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, previously with Levante, also appears to have fitted in smoothly.

Youngsters provide a different challenge.

The fact Huenemeier and Hemed are experienced has helped them settle but is not the only reason they were signed.

Jones said: “With Uwe, it was paramount because we wanted an experienced man to come in.

“We needed someone to replace the likes of Aaron Hughes, who we had last season, or Matt Upson.

“Tomer had already played overseas, which helps. It’s a cultural difference now.

“Having Beram (Kayal) here helped – and a few Spanish speakers because he is a fluent Spanish speaker, “And Brighton is quite a cosmopolitan place.”

Location is not everything – although it helps.

When Andrea Orlandi signed for Blackpool, he decided to base his family further south in Bolton because of its proximity to a major city.

He enjoyed trips to Manchester although he admitted: “It isn’t Brighton!”

Whatever the reason, Albion are confident they are well-placed to make Orlandi’s successors from overseas feel at home.