Albion player of the season Beram Kayal says Chris Hughton is the “daddy” and one of the reasons he signed for the club.
The Israeli midfielder has thanked the Seagulls’ manager for helping to reignite his career.
Kayal landed the award from fans on Sunday evening for an influential first full campaign in the promotion push after Hughton snapped him up from Celtic 16 months ago.
He has played 41 games, almost as many as he managed in his last two years at Celtic where he was plagued by injuries.
Hughton was also interested in signing him from the Glasgow giants when he was in charge at Norwich.
Kayal told The Argus: “I knew it. I have a lot of respect for him and when I knew he was part of this club I had a few other interesting clubs but I decided to come here. He was one of the reasons.
“When I left Celtic a lot of people said to me ‘You are going to a good club but to play as well for a good man and a good manager’. To be a good man is more important than a good player or manager. He is honest with us, gives us the daddy stuff, the big hug, and when you have a lot of respect and love for your manager you try to do it on the pitch for him.
“This is the feeling about him in the dressing room and in England. I hope we can do it (promotion) of course for all of us but for him as well, because he deserves it.
“He has given me the freedom to show everything I have and to have one of the best seasons of my career.
“I’m no child now, I’m 27 and have been playing for many years, but he has helped me a lot to show my best.”
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