Albion have appointed a top German sports doctor to lead the club's medical team.

Helge Riepenhof is the Seagulls’ new full-time head of sports medicine and science.

He takes over from long-serving club doctor Tim Stevenson, who is unable to commit to a full-time role after setting up a private practice, The Healthy Company, based at The Amex.

Riepenhof, 33, comes from the BG Trauma Clinic in Hamburg, which specialises in sport-related injuries and recovery methods.

He worked for the Tour de France cycling team HTC-Highroad, caring for leading riders like Britain’s Mark Cavendish.

Manager Gus Poyet said: “Helge was the outstanding candidate from a large number of applicants and his credentials are excellent. He will work closely with the rest of the department and his expertise will help give us one of the best medical set-ups possible.

“He will be based with us full time, travel with us, but alongside his expertise, we will also have the added support of the clinic in Hamburg.”

Stevenson will continue to provide medical services to the club's non-playing staff as well as running the Healthy Company in the East Stand at The Amex, which is open to the general public.

Chairman Tony Bloom said: "Of course, he will still be a very big part of life at the Amex, but on behalf of all at the club I would like to thank Tim for all his hard work with the team over the past 17 years and wish him every success with his new practice."