Albion boss Chris Hughton has challenged Percy Tau to shine on loan after making the big move to Europe.

The South Africa forward has completed his transfer to Albion and will be loaned out for the coming season.

Tau is a big name in his homeland, where he starred for Mamelodi Sundowns.

Now Hughton wants that glowing reputation to spread after he completed a four-year deal with the Seagulls for an undisclosed fee.

He told The Argus: “At 24, he is a good age. If you look at the FIFA levels, South Africa wouldn’t be at the level of Nigeria or Ghana.

“But he is one of the best players in their league.

“He has shown fabulous pace, good ability and there’s a bit of flexibility in the way he can play.

“He is a senior player. Because he played in South Africa people didn’t know too much about him.

“As soon as you sign him people start looking at YouTube clips and what have you.

“He will go on loan for the year and we will assess it during the season and at the end of the season.”

Tau’s move has caused huge excitement in South Africa.

But Hughton said he might have gone on loan even if Albion were able to secure permission for him to play in this country.

As it is, he is not allowed to train with the Seagulls or appear in friendlies such as today’s trip to AFC Wimbledon (3pm).

Hughton said: “We have taken him knowing we are not going to get him a work permit.

“But the jump from South African football to here is quite big.”

Tau has made 12 international appearances for South Africa, scoring five goals, and was the country’s player of the season in 2017-18.