Albion have secured homegrown status for Glenn Murray.

Updating the classification of last season’s top scorer for the Seagulls will have a crucial impact on further plans to strengthen the squad.

Premier League clubs are required to include eight homegrown players in their squad of 25.

Homegrown is categorised as a player on the books of an FA affiliated club for at least three years before they turn 21.

Murray was not on the homegrown list last season, as he spent part of his early career in the US.

Albion have won a long-running quest to amend the status of their 12-goal leading marksman by demonstrating he had spells at Carlisle and Workington Reds before moving to the States.

It means they only have to make one more homegrown signing, not two, to comply with the rule after adding new goalkeeper signing Jason Steele alongside Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Dale Stephens, Solly March and Sam Baldock.

The squad last season included homegrown departures Liam Rosenior, Connor Goldson and Steve Sidwell, together with second-choice keeper Tim Krul.

The Dutchman is still expected to leave, although Albion have not given up hope of retaining his services, which would remove the necessity for another homegrown signing.

They also have Fulham goalkeeper David Button, Sunderland’s versatile Northern Ireland international midfielder Paddy McNair and Reading central defender Liam Moore on their radar after snapping up former Blackburn and Middlesbrough shot-stopper Steele from Sunderland on a free transfer.

The homegrown requirement has affected Albion’s summer recruitment strategy.

Boss Chris Hughton revealed to The Argus: “It is playing a part. We are very conscious we have to make sure we meet the homegrown quotas.

“That is very much in our thoughts in this recruitment process.

“These are things that are added into the equation. It comes with the territory.

“Once we knew we were losing Sidwell, Rosenior and we knew there was every chance we would be losing Connor (to Glasgow Rangers) as well, it had to come into our thinking.

“It has done and that will continue. We know there are quotas that have to be met.”