Albion and Florin Andone appear to be made for each other.

Persistence is the trait that has brought them together.

From the Seagulls' well-documented struggles of the past to their three-window pursuit of a striker who has risen from the footballing backwaters of a foreign country to its premier league and the Premier League he regards as the best in the world.

Andone's story, although not quite a version of Jamie Vardy's rags-to-riches climb, is steeped in aspiring perspiration.

He left Romania to join his mother in Spain at the age of 12 after his father died in a car accident.

He played for the unheralded likes of Vinaros, CD Castellon, Villarreal's junior and B teams and Atletico Balerase before a step up to Cordoba and then a breakthrough move to Deportivo La Coruna.

Andone's journey has left him with a point to prove only to himself.

"I have seen so many players that were team-mates and are not at the top level," he said. "I am not obsessed about it but we have a big chance to keep proving ourselves.

"You have to compete so much, but I am not competing with anyone else, just myself. I try to give 100 per cent every single day.

"I am that type of player, always fighting with myself."

The hunger of Andone (below) was matched by Albion's desire to secure his signature in order to add an alternative dimension to their attacking options and make him only the 14th Romanian to play in the top flight of English football. "I know there are not many Romanians that have played in England, but the Premier League was one of the main reasons for coming here," he said.

The Argus: "It It is the biggest league in the world and the club were trying to sign me in three transfer windows.

"Being so insistent, trying so hard, that was the biggest reason for coming, seeing that from the manager and the club.

"It was really close last summer, but it wasn't just about me, it was about Deportivo getting another striker.

"They didn't get him (Guido Carrello) and that's why I couldn't come then.

"That was the closest time. In the winter there was another chance, but the chairman because we were in a tough position (in La Liga) wouldn't allow me to leave.

"He wanted to keep all the players to try to stay up.

"The price then was higher than now, so it has worked out well for Brighton."

Indeed it has. A fee slashed from £17.5 million to £5.25 million for a player whose singular regret in departing Spain after 13 years is that Deportivo are now in the second division.

The Argus: Andone, using Bruno (above front right) as his interpreter for interview purposes at Albion's Austrian training camp while he improves his already-adequate grasp of English, said: "It was tough to leave, because I loved the club.

"I had a good connection with the fans. I wish we had stayed up so that I left the club in La Liga. I feel sorry about that.

"But I was clear in my mind that I want to play at the highest level possible and Brighton are in the best league in the world."

Andone, 25, is not promising a glut of goals - he scored 19 in 69 appearances for Deportivo and, prior to that, 27 in 58 games for Cordoba in the top two tiers.

What he will provide is industry and the ability to stretch defences, which could prove particularly useful in improving Albion's record away from the Amex.

"I don't like to talk about targets in terms of goals, to put that pressure on myself," he said. "My main aim is to play as many games as possible and to help the team.

"My main strengths are my speed and running in behind. I'm a hard worker."

He should fit in snugly to a dressing room devoid of big egos.