Teenage defender Andrew Beech has been offered a contract by Worthing after impressing in his first 12 games for the club.

The 18-year-old former Albion reserve is the only player being offered a deal for next season at Woodside Road.

Boss Sammy Donnelly said: "That shows how highly I rate him.

"He has been exceptional. He has definitely got a future in the game."

Worthing have transferred former Seagulls David Cameron and Ben Andrews to Lincoln and St Albans respectively over the past year.

Donnelly expects higher division clubs to show an interest in his young stopper but will insist on a transfer fee.

He said: "Putting him on contract is an investment.

"The other players are quite happy. They will still be covered in case of serious injury, which was their main concern with not having contracts."

Beech is keen to progress in the non-league game and is lining up a sports management course at Brighton University.

He said: "I would love to play higher but I need to sort out my education and get a degree under my belt.

"Being released by Albion was a shock. When we were called in I didn't know which way it was going to go.

"I was really disappointed but life goes on."

Beech chose Worthing ahead of Lewes, who snapped up his former Albion youth colleague Conor McCurdy.

Donnelly threw his young signing straight into the first team, where he has enjoyed learning alongside former Seagull stalwart Stuart Tuck.

Beech added: "It is is completely differ-ent. I was used to training every day for one thing.

"The football is still a good standard but it is battle, battle, battle.

"Stuart Tuck has given me a lot of help. He was at Brighton for quite a few years and he has got great experience."