Albion saw off competition from Premier League rivals Watford to land long-time target Florin Andone.

Other clubs in Spain and abroad were also interested in the Romanian international striker, who officially joins the Seagulls from Deportivo La Coruna on June 8 when the window opens for international transfers.

Albion have landed Andone for a knockdown price.

They were close to signing the 25-year-old last summer, when the buyout clause on his contract was £17.5 million.

That was slashed to £5.25 million by Deportivo after the departed Clarence Seedorf failed to save them from relegation from La Liga.

Boss Chris Hughton now has a No.9 capable of partnering Glenn Murray or Jurgen Locadia or stretching defences alone.

Andone will be in action next when Romania play Chile in a friendly next Thursday (3pm).