Beram Kayal is up for the challenge of helping Albion to a third season in the Premier League after securing his own future.

The Israeli midfielder has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until June 2020.

Kayal, who makes his first start of the season at Manchester City tomorrow, said: "I am really pleased with how everything is going and the main target is to keep Brighton in this league.

"The fixtures we have started with are very tough, but we have showed a lot of character to come back in a few games when we've been down. It's a tough season, but we're ready for the challenges ahead of us."

Albion were fighting against relegation from the Championship when Chris Hughton made Kayal his first signing from Celtic (below right) in January 2015.

The Argus: Kayal, 30, said: "I've been here for three-and-a-half years now and I've been part of something unbelievable by getting this club to the Premier League.

"I am one of the old boys in the dressing room now and I am happy to continue here at the club.

"I am very pleased with the trust which the gaffer has given me and I want to say thanks for that.

"There have been so many exciting times here, a few bad ones too with injuries, but that's history and now I'm looking forward to helping the club achieve what they want to this season.

"My family and I really enjoy being here. Seeing the club reach the next level is unbelievable."

Hughton outlined his plans to Kayal during talks to bring him south of the border.

"I knew from the first day I arrived that the manager wanted to build something," Kayal said.

"In the first few minutes I spoke with him, he said that he's looking to take the club into the Premier League. Obviously if you look at the facilities it was ready to go and this is why we're going step by step to the next level.

"Everyone here at the club from the chairman to the kit man is pulling together in one direction."