Albion have signed Middlesbrough’s Mustapha Carayol on loan for the rest of the season.

The left winger or attacking midfielder agreed the move south today while Emmanuel Ledesma, who has been on loan at the Amex, returned to Teesside.

Carayol is desperate to rebuild his match fitness after a year on the sidelines.

He has not played since tearing a cruciate ligament near the end of a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on March 15 last year.

It was the second knee injury of his career.

He started his comeback from the latest setback by playing for Boro under-21s at Albion’s training ground recently.

Carayol was close to agreeing a loan move to Nottingham Forest last week.

Another unidentified club were rivalling the Seagulls for his signature today but he opted for a move to Sussex.

Seagulls boss Chris Hughton said: “Mustapha was attracting a lot of interest from Championship clubs, both prior to his injury and at this current point in time.

"He is someone both the club and I have been aware of for some time so we are absolutely delighted he has opted to join us on loan for the rest of the season.

"He is an exciting, dynamic player, he is quick and direct, and he gives us a different option alongside our other attacking players.

"While he has played for Boro's under-21s, and has recovered from the injury, he is yet to feature in the Championship this season, so it will be a case of reintroducing him to the rigours of first-team football."

Carayol made 13 league starts and came off the bench 12 times playing for Crawley in the Conference during the 2007-08 season.

The 26-year-old is hugely popular among Boro fans and has blistering pace.

Meanwhile Albion winger Jeff Monakana, who has been on loan at Mansfield, has agreed a similar deal at Carlisle.