Albion's hot Norwegian prospect Henrik Bjordal has been urged by manager Chris Hughton to show his first team potential.

The Seagulls have snapped up the versatile 18-year-old from Aalesunds for a fee in the region of £300,000 and awarded him a contract until June 2018.

Bjordal, already a Norway under-21 international, will start off in the development squad with the chance to press for a first team place if he shines.

Hughton said: “He’s an exciting young prospect, a quick player who can play as a winger or attacking midfielder.

“He will begin with our under-21 squad and has the opportunity to make that step up into our first team squad.”

Hughton had been monitoring Bjordal since November and the midfielder said: “It’s been a long process but I’m finally here.

“If I was going to leave my former club it would have had to be something special. When I heard about Brighton and their plans for me, it was a really easy choice to come here.”

Albion’s busy transfer window has continued with a departure as well, a fourth loan exit for Adam Chicksen.

The 24-year-old left-back, well down the pecking order at the Amex, has rejoined League One promotion chasers Gillingham on a month’s loan following a similar stint with them in November 2014. Chicksen has also been loaned out to Fleetwood and Leyton Orient since joining Albion from MK Dons three summers ago.

Gillingham visit Blackpool on Saturday where Chicksen made one of a handful of league appearances for Albion in December 2013.