Elliott Bennett has thanked Albion chief Gus Poyet for improving his game by 50% to help land him a dream move into the Premier League.

Bennett has joined Norwich in a £1.5 million deal, just 18 months after struggling near the bottom of League One with the Seagulls.

Poyet pinpointed the former Wolves winger as a key player after replacing Russell Slade as manager.

He turned him into a multi-tasking midfielder, scoring and creating goals, as Albion romped to the title last season.

A grateful Bennett told The Argus: “I can’t say enough good things about Brighton. They gave me an unbelievable chance to play regular football after playing in the reserves at Wolves and that gave the chance for a club like Norwich in the Premier League to come in for me.

“Russell Slade showed faith in me in the first place by signing me and the gaffer has helped take my game to another level.

“He has taught me things that have helped improve my game and enabled me to play in different positions.

“I’m a lot better mentally as well. Coming down to Brighton I’ve had to grow up on and off the pitch.

“Everything the gaffer has done has helped my understanding of the game. He has improved me by more than 50 per cent and Chas (Charlie Oatway) and Tano (Mauricio Taricco) have been a big help as well.”

Bennett’s switch from the Seagulls to the Canaries has catapulted him into the big time and big money. He will triple his wages at Carrow Road and the 22-year-old admits playing against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea will be a dream.

“I’m still young and Norwich have given me this opportunity, so it is really,” he said. “I want to play in the Premier League.

“I don’t really consider I was at that level at Wolves, because I didn’t play there and I was sold the year before they were promoted to the Premier League so I’m delighted to be given an opportunity to play in probably the top league in the world.

“It is life-changing. Some players don’t ever get this chance and for me to have turned that down would have been very silly. When opportunities like this come around you have to take them.”

Norwich are joining the elite after consecutive promotions and Bennett has backed Albion for continued success in the Championship without him.

He is impressed by the signings Poyet has made so far, including his replacement Will Buckley.

“There are similarities between Brighton and Norwich,” said Bennett. “They (Albion) have the momentum from winning the league and having that winning mentality is only going to help.

“I wouldn’t want to put pressure on them by saying they are going to win the league again but I have every faith in the players there and the players they have signed.

“Will Buckley is only young but has a lot of Championship experience for his age and Will Hoskins scored 20 goals in a relegated side (Bristol Rovers). There are going to be more additions to the squad and I think they will do very well.”

Bennett has also praised Albion’s fans for the way they have responded since he handed in a transfer request in January, when Norwich first tried to sign him.

“I want to say a big thankyou to the fans,” he added. “I couldn’t have asked for better support.

“I have been told about all the good messages they have been posting about me now on the internet. I really appreciate all their support.”