Beram Kayal has committed his future to Albion and says he never considered leaving.

The influential Israeli has banished fears about the possibility of him going by signing a new two-and-a-half-year deal.

Kayal’s previous contract expired next summer, prompting concerns the highly-rated former Celtic midfielder could depart on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old, currently sidelined after ankle surgery, said: “I am so happy to stay at the club. For the last two years, everything has been going well and I’m enjoying every moment.

“I’m happy to sign a new deal and stay for the long term and hopefully we can achieve our goal. This club has a lot of potential and I want to play a big part and help my team-mates out when I get back.

“There was always going to be speculation about my future, because I was coming to the end of my contract here, but when you sign a contract you need to be happy and feel 100 per cent sure in what you want to do with your future.

“It’s a great honour for me, I am so happy and I wanted to stay here ever since the first meeting a few months ago. I always said that once everything was sorted I’d be happy to sign a new contract.

“Brighton is a nice city, everyone knows that. My family are happy here, they left Israel and are enjoying every moment in Brighton, so it’s part of why I’m signing here. But the most important thing is that I’m enjoying playing for this club.”

Manager Chris Hughton made Israel international Kayal his first signing when he arrived from celtic in the January 2015 transfer window.

Hughton said: “It is important to us that we keep hold of our key players and we are absolutely delighted. He had an outstanding season for us last year.”

Kayal is recovering from a fractured right ankle sustained against Barnsley at the Amex in September. “It’s getting better and I’m working hard at the moment,” he said.

Dale Stephens, Kayal’s regular partner last season, is out of contract in the summer and is yet to agree a new deal.