Albion have signed centre-back Ben Hall from Motherwell – initially for their development squad.

The 19-year-old from Northern Ireland has agreed a two-year deal and will link up with Simon Rusk's under-21s. The fee is undisclosed.

Hall made 16 Scottish Premiership starts for Mark McGhee’s side last season, scoring one goal, and is being seen by the Seagulls as a first-team prospect.

Rusk said: "Ben is a highly-rated young central defender and was a regular for Motherwell in the second half of last season, playing 19 times for their first team.

"He's a good athlete and footballer but, first and foremost, a good defender. He has had that grounding of playing senior football in the Scottish Premier League with Motherwell.

"He will begin the season with our under-21 squad but his challenge, along with the others, is to push on and progress into our first-team squad."