Albion have been plunged into a goalkeeping crisis by the shock departure of first choice Mark Walton to Cardiff.

The big Welshman is joining the Seagulls' Third Division rivals on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

He signs a two-year contract at Ninian Park on Monday, subject to a medical.

The loss of Walton, just days before the Albion players report back for pre-season training, has stunned manager Micky Adams. He thought he had wrapped up a new two-year deal with the 31-year-old.

Mark Ormerod has already gone to Woking. That leaves Adams with inexperienced new Dutch signing Michels Kuipers from Bristol Rovers, who has made only one League appearance, and teenage rookie Will Packham.

An angry Adams said last night: "I thought I had agreed a new deal with Mark Walton, but obviously not. This has turned my plans for the season upside down. I now need to find another goalkeeper."

Walton revealed: "I had verbally accepted a deal, then this offer from Cardiff came out of the blue. It is too good a chance to turn down.

"I have been away from home for 15 years. This is an opportunity to be nearer my family and finish my career back in Wales, which is fantastic.

"Financially I am taking a drop, so I am not chasing money. Cardiff is a club I have always quite fancied playing for.

"I don't have a problem with anybody at Brighton. The club is going in the right direction and I wish everybody connected with it the success they deserve."

Walton began his career at Cardiff's arch-rivals Swansea, where his dad Ronnie is in charge of the youth team. He played in the Fulham team Adams steered to promotion and for Norwich in an FA Cup semi-final before Brian Horton brought him to Albion two seasons ago.

Walton lost his place to Ormerod soon after the start of last season and asked for a transfer after coming under fire from fans.

He got the spot back when Ormerod went down with food poisoning, then went on to establish himself as Adams' No 1.

ALBION'S match at Hull on October 7 has been brought forward to Friday October 6 (7.45) to avoid a clash with England's World Cup tie with Germany.