Yaser Kasim has thanked Albion for saving him from a fall-out with Spurs.

The 19-year-old Iraqi was in limbo at Tottenham, because of a contract row, when Seagulls chief Gus Poyet and his assistant Mauricio Taricco stepped in.

Kasim has impressed all season with the development squad and in the reserves and has now been offered a new deal.

The midfield prospect, given his first team debut in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Notts County, revealed to The Argus: “I was at Spurs and it was kind of hard to get out of it. I got out of it, I didn’t sign my contract extension.

“They thought another club wanted me but there was no other club. I went on trial with one or two other clubs but they couldn’t agree a compensation fee.

“The gaffer and Tano were at Spurs, so they had a good relationship with them. The people at Spurs changed and they sorted something out.

“I was in limbo. It wasn’t up to me, it was up to Spurs, but they wanted more money and that’s football. I was just waiting my time and kept on training by myself until I came down here.

“I appreciate it a lot. They sorted something out for me and I love the football here, because they play good football, and the players are great, so everything is good except for playing more games... I’ll work hard for that.”

Kasim played for 70 minutes in the stalemate at Meadow Lane before he was substituted.

Poyet said: “We are offering him the chance to stay with us. He is thinking about it and we’ll probably have a few more words.

“He knows where he stands. We”ve been honest with him, it”s up to him.

“It’s complicated because I don”t know if it will be easy for him to step up and start playing for the first team in the Championship, but we are offering him the chance to be there or thereabouts.”