New Albion signing Markus Suttner has set his sights on a survival double.

Suttner helped Ingolstadt stay up in the German Bundesliga in their first season, although they went down second time around.

The 30-year-old left-back said: "I am always prepared to fight and work hard, and I have been told the team is filled with good characters who have fought together to achieve what they have and I am really happy to become part of the team.

"I have a 100 per cent passion for success and want to be a leader on the pitch. I will play how the manager wants me to play. If he wants me to attack then I will and if I have to stay deep, then I will. I will do what the manager wants and what the team needs.

"I had a good season last year and now in this stage of my career, it's perfect to play in the Premier League, and the challenge for Brighton is a similar one to the one I first encountered with Ingolstadt."

Suttner, who represented Austria at Euro 2016 and earned 20 caps, hung up his international boots last November to focus on club football.

He said: "To sign this contract in Austria is a good feeling and a good moment. When I heard that Brighton were interested in me I thought about it and it was clear I wanted to sign.

"For me, the chance to play in the Premier League is one of the best options for any player and I'm very happy to be here.

"It's a very good move at this time in my career and I don't have words to describe how happy I am to have signed the contract. I'm excited and keen to meet the players and start training."

Suttner was set to train with his new team-mates, including ex-Ingolstadt colleague Pascal Gross for the first time this morning at Albion's Alpine base in Leogang ahead of tomorrow night's opening pre-season friendly against Fortuna Duseldorf.

He said: "I spoke with him (Gross) in the past few weeks, but it was hard as it was taking a long time for the transfer to go through and it was a frustrating period.

"There are only good players in the Premier League and so many good teams here, I don't want to single out one team or player who I am looking forward to playing against. My main aim is for success for us and to make sure we have a good season.

"That's what interests me. My focus is now on getting to know the team in the coming days, see how we have to play and being ready for the new season."