Mark McGhee today challenged Albion's Coca-Cola Kid to kick off the Championship season at Pride Park.

The Seagulls unveiled new striker Colin Kazim-Richards, the 6ft 1in 18-year-old hot-shot signed on a three-year deal from Bury, at a press conference at Withdean.

Kazim-Richards, who hails from Walthamstow, is costing Albion an undisclosed six-figure fee, the funds coming from the £250,000 won for the club by fan Aaron Berry in a competition run by Coca-Cola.

He is brimming with confidence after scoring three times in six games last season and McGhee would love to see him prove he is worth a place when Albion begin the new season at Derby's Pride Park on August 6.

McGhee said: "Colin has scored goals in the League, he has the physique to carry it off and he certainly has the mentality.

"We're hoping in the first game of the season he will be out there but that remains to be seen.

"His confidence is something I'll have to keep a lid on but we've got players here who are good at that.

"We're looking forward to seeing just how close Colin is to starting the first game of the season."

Kazim-Richards agreed to join Albion two weeks ago but Seagulls chairman Dick Knight could not complete the deal until late on Wednesday.

Knight said: "It's a big investment for us but I have the same feeling about Colin as when I signed Bobby Zamora.

"This is us investing in the future and having faith in our judgement. I'm excited by the prospect."