New Brazilian signing Bernardo says he has joined Albion "as mainly a left-back".

The versatility of the 23-year-old from Bundesliga outfit Red Bull Leipzig broadens boss Chris Hughton's options in defence.

First choice Gaetan Bong and understudy Markus Suttner competed for the left-back spot last season.

Bernardo said: "I chose the club because they showed a big interest in me and my goal has always been to play in the Premier League because it's the biggest league in the world.

"I heard about the interest and then when I saw the fans, the club and the facilities and the sea I knew it was the right place for me.

"I'm a versatile player and I've come here as mainly a left-back, but I've also played in the centre of defence and as a central midfielder.

"I played a lot at right-back last year as well and I'm equally comfortable at centre-back so I'm here to help the team."

"I want to be able to give the manager options and I hope that I can do a good job."

The Argus: Bernardo (above) completed his move to Albion last night on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, understood to be approaching £9 million, after watching quarter-finalists Brazil in the World Cup in Russia.

He revealed: "I've been watching the World Cup and was actually out in Russia the other week watching Brazil – it's been a really unpredictable tournament.

"I'm optimistic about how they'll do and they have a good chance to win it, but so many people are saying that they can't remember a tournament in the past that's been this open."

Bernardo is poised to become the first Brazilian to play for Albion's first team.

Fellow countryman Raphael Rossi Branco was on the books in the Gus Poyet era, but the central defender did not make a senior appearance before spells with Whitehawk, Swindon, Boavista in Portugal and currently FC Sion in Switzerland.