Albion left Championship rivals Leicester grounded – by signing Vicente in an airport.

The high-flying Seagulls clinched the capture of the former Valencia winger and Spain international at Gatwick.

Club officials dashed to the airport with Vicente’s representative to get the paperwork done before he flew back to Spain, scuppering Leicester’s late bid to hijack the deal.

Sven Goran Eriksson’s side offered him a more lucrative contract but Vicente ended two days of negotiations with Albion by signing for a year.

The versatile winger will be back in England on Tuesday, when he will train with his new team-mates for the first time and be officially unveiled at a press conference at The Amex.

Vicente, 30, won two La Liga titles with Valencia, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup. He also played for them in the Champions League and for Spain at Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Boss Gus Poyet told The Argus: “I think it shows how far we have come at the club in less than two years, from how people regard us, the way we play, the fans, the new stadium.

“All of those things made this deal possible, because there is no doubt he had other offers but there are other things which matter to players sometimes as well.”

Although Vicente passed his medical with no problems, he has a history of injury niggles so Albion will be careful at first with the amount of time he is on the pitch.

Poyet added: “He started pre-season with Valencia and when he knew he wasn’t going to get a contract he started working with a personal trainer, doing all the fitness.

“That is still not the same as playing 90 minutes, so we are going to have to help him and bring him on slowly. We don’t want him to break down and then we lose him for a few weeks.”

Vicente, speaking through an interpretor, said: “It’s a new chapter for me. I had a very good career at Valencia, where I won trophies, and I played 40 times for Spain.

“But I’m very motivated to begin a new part of my career here in England.

“Playing in England is something I’ve wanted to do. I’ve achieved a lot but for many years I’ve watched the Premier League and followed English football.

“It’s very important that Brighton have given me the chance to start playing again.

“I hope to play very well and to help the team get into the best position this season, then if possible become a Premier League player with this club.”

Vicente and his representatives were won over by Albion’s negotiating team of Poyet, chairman Tony Bloom and managing director Ken Brown, who gave them a tour of The Amex on Thursday night.

“The confidence that I get from Gus Poyet and the chairman is very important to me,” said the former Levante wide man. “I spoke to Gus and he explained the kind of offensive, attacking football that Brighton play. That suits me and I feel very confident here.

“When I went onto the pitch at the stadium I was really happy and convinced that I want to play games for Brighton.

“Last season I was fit but didn’t play much for Valencia, because the coach selected other players, but I’m motivated to play here.

“Hopefully I will become an important playerfor Brighton and I want to bring success for the fans.

“It’s very important that, together with Gus, his team of coaches and the other players, we reach the Premier League together.”

The capture of Vicente has already been welcomed by other members of the Albion squad.

Craig Mackail-Smith, speaking on Twitter, said: “What a fantastic signing. He is going to bring great quality and experience to the team.”

Young defender Steve Cook, also on Twitter, declared: “Great signing....massive boost for the push to the Prem.”