Albion record-breaker Will Buckley has vowed to make fans forget about losing Elliott Bennett – by joining him in the Premier League.
Buckley wants to make it into the top flight with the Seagulls after replacing Norwich-bound Bennett in a club record £1 million move from Championship rivals Watford.
Bennett will complete his £1.5 million switch to the Premier League new boys next week and Buckley is confident he can be a successful replacement.
The winger told The Argus: “I actually played against Elliott about three years ago in my first season at Rochdale when he was at Bury. I remember him well and he is a good player.
“When a player is moving to the Premiership he must be a good player. I’ve got boots to fill but I am sure I am capable. That is why Gus (Poyet) has brought me in, to try to do the best that I can and fill his boots.
“I am looking forward to the challenge. All I can do is be the player that I am and hopefully that will be good enough.”
Albion’s previous club record purchase was goalscorer Bobby Zamora. He eventually cost £520,000 from Bristol Rovers and is now leading the line for Fulham after spells at Spurs and West Ham.
Buckley, 21, said: “That’s where every player wants to play, in the Premiership. If I can take Brighton up there then all the better.
“If we can go on to play in the Premiership then it will show I have probably been a success for the club. Hopefully that’s what I’ll do one day and hopefully it will be with Brighton.”
Buckley will link up again at Albion with former Watford team-mate Will Hoskins, bought for £500,000 last month after scoring 20 goals for relegated Bristol Rovers.
“I was with Will at Watford when I first signed,” Buckley said. “He didn’t really do himself justice there and they let him go but he proved to be a great player in League One and I am sure he is going to do well for Brighton.
“Hopefully we can link up together well and both be a hit.”
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