Albion owner-chairman Tony Bloom is poised to buy Belgian second division club Union Saint Gilloise.

Terms have been agreed with existing German owner Jurgen Baatzsch for the purchase by Bloom of the historic, Brussels-based side.

The deal is totally independent of Albion and an extension of Bloom's personal portfolio of investments.

There will be no link between the Seagulls and Union SG at playing or boardroom level.

The purchase is believed to be part of a long-term ambition of Bloom's to own a club overseas as well as the one he grew up supporting.

An associate has been scouring Europe for the right opportunity and Union SG are seen as a good fit.

They were formerly the top club in Belgium, winning 11 titles before the Second World War.

Bloom aims to restore them to the top flight in Belgium, where a further attraction is less stringent laws on signing overseas players.

He will keep the club at the Joseph Mariënstadion, their home for more than a century, and, according to HLN Sport, Baatzsch will remain as president.

The deal is expected to be given the go-ahead at a general meeting of shareholders on Monday.