Livermore: I lasted ten days at Leeds

10:45pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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Leeds is always a big game but David Livermore, Albion's latest acquisition, will be relishing the October trip to Elland Road more than most.

The Seagulls' fourth signing of the summer will have a point to prove to the Yorkshiremen after he was the victim of an extraordinarily shortlived transfer.

Darren Currie, who remains on Albion's radar, was only at Withdean for a few months in his first spell at the club before he was sold on to Ipswich. Going back a few years, Paul Holsgrove's stay was even briefer.

The Seagulls cashed in quickly by selling him to Hibernian.

The 13 days Micky Adams spent at Swansea early on in his managerial career made him a loyal servant compared to the misfortune suffered by his latest capture two summers ago.

"I went from Millwall to Leeds for ten days," Livermore said.

"The explanation Kevin Blackwell gave me was that I was third on his list of players he wanted and number one (former Albion loan signing Kevin Nicholls) and number two weren't available, so he signed me.

"His first two choices then became available and he wanted to pursue them. He basically said they'd had an offer from Hull and he wanted to bring the other two players in.

"As soon as I heard that I thought it was best to talk to Hull and in the end it was the right decision because Leeds were relegated from the Championship and we stayed up.

"I had signed a three-year contract at Leeds. People talk about the loyalty of players but it works both ways."

Livermore lasted much longer alongside Albion skipper Nicky Forster with Premier League newcomers Hull, although the manner of his departure was similarly unfortunate.

"I have been at Hull for the last two seasons and I played my part last season,î he said. ìI had a contract there that if I played 25 games I'd get another year, so I played 24 and was basically told I would not be playing again.

"The best thing I could do then was go out on loan just to play. Oldham was just down the road so I went there with Jon Sheridan, which I enjoyed.

"I had an offer from them in the summer, but I'm a London lad and I wanted to get back down south."

So what are Albion getting? A proven League One winner for a kick-off. Livermore was a midfield regular in the Millwall team which took the title under former Albion boss Mark McGhee seven years ago.

Apart from his two-month loan stint with Oldham, which included a narrow defeat at Withdean in February, the 28-year-old from Edmonton has been plying his trade ever since at Championship level. Like Adam Virgo, Livermore is also versatile.

He started out as a trainee at Arsenal as a left-sided centre-half, with Ashley Cole at left-back - another position Adams has earmarked for him if the need arises.

After missing out on the Premier League, Livermore is hungry for another promotion with Albion.

"I believe I can play in the Championship," he said. "I have done for the last seven seasons with teams that have been successful.

"The opportunities weren't there this summer, so I had to make a decision. You don't want to be missing pre-season. I think that is vitally important and Brighton were my best option of a team that can hopefully push on and possibly make the play-offs, if not go up automatically.

"If we are in the new stadium in a couple of seasons time then we could be like Hull.

"Two or three seasons after moving into their new stadium they are in the Premier League so it just shows what can be done with the right facilities and the extra revenue."

Albion fans: What do you think of the signing of David Livermore?