Carl Rushworth is relishing a second crack at the professional game after signing a new three-year deal with Albion.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper shone on loan at Isthmian League leaders Worthing last season.

Now he is looking to progress with Simon Rusk’s under-23 side next season, as well as trying to break into the first team picture.

The plan is for him to stay with the cub rather than going out on loan again.

Rushworth said: “I am happy to have got the contract sorted and now I can work as part of the under-23s a lot more.

“Going out on loan has been really good but I need to get some experience here and be in and around the club.

“I am looking to kick on with the under-23s and get a lot more game time next season, and maybe get some cup matches with the first team.

“Because I won’t be out on loan, I will be there if they need me. The game time is the most important thing for me.”

Rushworth was with Huddersfield until the age of 16, then joined hometown club Halifax for a year.

He said: “I went from Huddersfield – where everything is looked after for you all the time – and dropped down a few levels to Halifax where the quality obviously isn’t as good, but I appreciated it a lot more when I did get back into professional football with Brighton.”

Lead academy goalkeeper and assistant Under-23 coach Shannon Ruth is looking forward to seeing Rushworth develop further.

He said: “Carl has worked extremely hard since joining and this new contract is a reward for all his efforts and his positive performances out on loan at Worthing.

“This has been a successful season for Carl in his development.

“He dealt with his loan very well while still reaching the demands of training with our squads on a daily basis.

“We are extremely pleased with how Carl is developing and are looking forward to seeing what’s next for him.”

Former Arsenal prospect Hugo Keto was a regular in goal for the under-23s last season but the Finn was let go recently.