RENATO NETO has undergone knee surgery – less than three weeks after Albion abandoned plans to make the Brazilian midfielder their record signing.

The Seagulls were set to sign Neto from Belgian club Gent last month until he failed his medical due to a knee problem.

They pulled out of the deal at the eleventh hour after terms had been agreed with Gent and Neto and he travelled to the south coast to complete the deal.

The 25-year-old had an operation on Tuesday. A Gent spokesman said: “There is no reason to believe after the surgery that Renato Neto’s career would be compromised. I can confirm that surgery has been successful.”

Neto thanked his followers on Twitter for their support “during the difficult days that I have had”.

Albion remain in the market for a central midfielder, with the close of the transfer window four weeks away.

They also still want to sign a striker, another right-back and third-choice goalkeeper.