Adam El-Abd has joined Albion's youth set up five years after brother Joe turned the club down.

The 16-year-old defender/midfielder, from Saltdean, accepted a three-year scholarship deal.

The Longhill School pupil said: "The set up has changed since Joe was at the club. His deal was just for two years and he had to give up his education, so he went on to Bath University and took up rugby and is with Bath reserves.

"Now you can continue your education and that helped me decide. The coaching is brilliant, the sessions are so enjoyable. People like Les Rogers, John Byrne, Dean Wilkins and Martin Hinshelwood have been great for me.

"I have been with Albion since I was ten and it was always the aim to be taken on. It is a dream come true. I want on on and make it in the first team.

"There's also another El-Abd on the way. My younger brother Sami plays for Albion under-13s."

Alex Bryant is the first youth goalkeeper Albion have signed in four years.

The Durrington High pupil, 16, follows Will Packham who is currently on loan at Dr Martens Langney Sports.

Goalkeeping coach John Keeley has been praised for his part in bringing on Bryant, who has also signed a three-year scholarship deal.

Martin Hinshelwood, the Seagulls' director of youth, believes the introduction of John Keeley has made the difference. He said: "No disrespect to any of the previous lads that we haven't taken on, but John coming in has helped Alex.

"Alex is a confident lad, a bit loud on occasions, but he's worked hard, is a decent size and should have a good future and we've also got Chris May developing nicely."

Dorothy Stringer pupil Matthew Geard, the son of former Albion player Glen from Brighton, has been given advice by his father.

Glen, now manager of County League club Ringmer, said: "Matthew's done ever so well. But I've said to him that this is where the hard work begins."

Matthew added: "I'd love to follow my father's footsteps and make the Ablion first team."

The club also have high hopes of midfielder Darren Budd (Hove Park) and striker Mark Windsor (Patcham High) who have also signed for three years.

Hinshelwood said: "Darren, with Matthew, are not the biggest but they punch their own weight. Mark just loves scoring goals, although the only trouble is he supports Leeds because of his dad!"

Budd added: "I was hot-headed but my attituide has changed and I'm delighted to have signed on."

Hinshelwood is delighted for his nephew Adam, 17, from Selsey, who scored the only goal of the game for Albion Reserves against QPR in his second full game.

He said: "Adam's physically strong and can cope at that level."

Adam helped Albion under-19s overcame Colchester 2-1 at Sussex University in the Youth Alliance play-offs with Chris McPhee and Daniel Marney returning from injury to score.

Youth player Shaun Wilkinson, who came on as substitute against Barnet last week, is in a Worthing hospital with suspected appendicitis.