Albion boss Gus Poyet has backed £1 million man Will Buckley to justify his record-breaking price tag.

The Seagulls have shattered their transfer record by capturing the winger from Championship opponents Watford on a three-year contract.

Buckley replaces fellow 22-year-old Elliott Bennett, who will complete a £1.5 million move next week to Premier League newcomers Norwich. The £1 million fee is almost twice as much as Albion eventually paid for goalscoring legend Bobby Zamora from Bristol Rovers but Poyet told The Argus: “I am sure he will increase that during the years with us. “I think he is going to get better and better. He will have to adapt to our system of playing but it is only a matter of time.”

Buckley, lured away from Vicarage Road with two years still left on his contract, can operate down either flank or as a second striker but Albion see him primarily as a right winger.

Poyet said: “We only played Elliott on the right side at first. (Kazenga) LuaLua played on the left, Nooney (Craig Noone) has played on the left most of the time, so we didn’t have a right-sided player and he has played probably more than 20 games there for Watford.

“He played in the Championship the whole season. We tried to get a player who knows the division and who is young to use part of the money (for Bennett).

“Of those that I liked he was the one we were able to get, so I am delighted.”

Bennett’s move to Norwich, following their persistent attempts to sign him in January, will catapult him back into the big time after joining Albion from Wolves just under two years ago.

It will also reunite him with the Seagulls’ ex-skipper Andrew Crofts.

Bennett is expected to agree personal terms with the Canaries next week when he returns from holiday.

Poyet added: "I have said in the past the best thing is to get better together but that can happen a little bit quicker. Normally it is the manager that leaves but at Brighton at the moment it's players!

"Crofty did it, now it's Elliott doing it. We are delighted for them."

Meanwhile, Albion could face Spurs in pre-season friendlies twice in quick succession.

They are poised to play Tottenham's development team during next month's training camp in Portugal prior to hosting Harry Redknapp's senior side for the official opening of The Amex on July 30.