Kazenga LuaLua has confessed his surprise at clinching a move to Albion from Newcastle.

The Seagulls have converted the flying left winger’s third loan spell with the club into a permanent deal until June 2014 for an undisclosed fee, after just two starts this season.

LuaLua revealed to The Argus: “I was thinking a permanent deal wasn’t going to happen, especially as I have not been playing much this season.

“I thought I was going back to Newcastle in January, I really did. I thought it was never going to happen so it’s nice.

“The gaffer told me to come to his office and that they were going to sign me. I was surprised, because I haven’t played as much as I would have liked. I am sure people will be surprised as well, which is only natural.”

LuaLua, 20, has made nine substitute appearances but his only Championship starts for Albion were in the opening day victory at home to Doncaster and against Leeds at The Amex in September. He said: “It has been frustrating for me. People probably think I have been carrying an injury but I am fully fit. Obviously, Craig Noone has done well, which makes it harder.

“The only thing you can do is keep training hard, keep on knocking on the door and when you get a chance hopefully take it.

“I think it was the right time to move. I’ve been at Newcastle for eight years. I have been involved in the first team before but not as much as I would have liked.

“No player wants to play reserve team football all the time. You have to think about your future. I am still a young boy and there is a lot to come.”

Meanwhile, boss Gus Poyet’s hopes of adding another Premier League player to his squad before tomorrow’s loan transfer deadline have receded. He admitted: “It’s going to be very difficult.”