Vegard Forren has turned down Champions League football to assist Albion’s promotion push.

The Seagulls have completed the signing of the free agent Norway international central defender on a short-term contract for the rest of the season.

Forren has been on the radar of the Seagulls’ recruitment department for some time. They reacted quickly to grab him from under the noses of Norwegian champions Rosenborg after Shane Duffy suffered a fractured foot bone in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Rosenborg’s domestic title qualifies them for next season’s Champions League.

Forren went to Marbella in Spain for their pre-season training camp ahead of their title defence, which starts in April, and was expected to sign a two-year deal.

He left early once Albion revealed their interest and completed the medical and paperwork formalities of his move at the Lancing training complex today.

The 29-year-old provides extra competition and cover in the middle of the back four, where Duffy’s unavailability for the vast majority of the remaining ten fixtures in the Championship has exacerbated Connor Goldson’s absence for the rest of the season with a heart condition.

That has left boss Chris Hughton with only Lewis Dunk, injury-hit Uwe Huenemeier and teenage Chelsea loan signing Fikayo Tomori as recognised central defenders.

Hughton said: “Vegard is a player the club had been aware of for some time and, with the absence of Shane Duffy and Connor Goldson, we felt it was important to take this opportunity to add to our defensive options.

“Vegard has played the majority of his career for Molde, one of the top clubs in Norway, and has an excellent pedigree having also played in the Champions League, Europa League and 33 times for his country.”

Forren has also rejected offers from Russia and Turkey for a second crack at English football following a fruitless six months with Southampton from January to July 2013.

He has attracted interest from Liverpool, AC Milan and Lazio as well at different stages of his career and was interesting Aston Villa and promotion rivals Leeds when Albion swooped.

Forren said: “I’ve been waiting for this chance for a long time. Last time I was here it didn’t work out too well for me, so I really want this and hope I can come here and learn a lot from my last time in England and fight for what we’re all aiming for, which is promotion to the Premier League.”

Forren is available for Derby’s visit to the Amex on Friday night, subject to international clearance.