Percy Tau has revealed he never lost faith in his quest for the Premier League.

The South Africa forward has got to England the hard way after three loan stints since signing from Mamelodi Sundowns.

His parent club have changed boss and footballing philosophy since he first arrived in Europe in 2018.

Tau is not quite sure what that means for him from the tactical point of view but that will become clear.

But, as he hopes for a debut in the coming week, he knows he grew up a lot in his time in Belgium.

Tau was all smiles as he spoke to media yesterday.

But there have been serious challenges along the way.

He told The Argus: “I knew when I signed there would be regulations that would force me out. I would not qualify for enough points.

“But I always had hope and faith that it would happen one day.

“I have always been grateful for the opportunity Brighton saw in me to come to South Africa and get me.

“Them knowing what was in the back of their minds and that there was a chance we would not have this player at that moment.

“I will always be grateful. They have been part of the journey and after that, with the loans, they have helped a lot.”

Having initially rejoiced that their hero was heading for the Prem, Tau’s fans were deflated to see him end up in the Belgian second tier with Union St-Gilloise.

But he learned some valuable lessons there, a long way from home and his close family. He said: “At that time it was my first time in Europe, actually being away from family and everyone.

“Being away from what I was used to, like the food.

“That experience actually helped me in the next year that came by.

“It is now okay. I have to go this way.

“When I miss my family, I know I have to do this.

“If something happens back home, I have to react to it in these sorts of way.

“The weather also - I had to adjust to that. That was the experience.”

Moving on to Club Bruges was a massive step as it took him to the top flight and Champions League.

He said: “Bruges was great. It gave me an opportunity to win the league.

“It was great to win the league in Europe and also to play in the Champions League.

“In that campaign, we tried to compete in every game we played.

“We tried our best. We went to the Europa League and still tried our best.

“I am grateful they were also able to give me that opportunity to represent myself.”

One match Albion fans may well have followed with interest was the second Champions League group game that season, when the Belgians drew 2-2 with Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.

Tau did not get on the pitch in game one at home to Galatasaray, when he stayed on one bench and Florin Andone remained unused on the other.

But the Madrid trip gave him chance to shine. He said: “That was actually my first game in the Champions League.

“We came up against Real Madrid and the first few moments we got two quick goals.

“Those goals made us settle in and have a good game.

“Their talent and experience paid off in the end and they came back to score the last two goals and we had a red card.

“That game also helped me a lot.”

Champions League football was a step towards the Premier League in two ways.

It upped his own ranking and also improved him as a player.

After all, he did not just go to Belgium because of the work permit issues.

He also needed to get up to speed with Premier League football.

When he first signed for Albion, he could not train with them and could not give interviews.

WHY TAU WILL SETTLE QUICKLY

Now, work permit safely in place, he has done both – and is adamant he always believed he would get the chance to link up with the Seagulls.

He said: “I never had doubts, I always had faith and hope.

“I always believed one day it would happen. I just didn’t know when, really.

“Even it were to take four years I would still be as excited as I am today.”

Where he fits in remains to be seen but one of those attacking positions just off the centre-forward looks most likely.

He is aware things have changed tactically and is keen to know more.

Asked if he had followed that evolution, he said: “I have but from the outside. I could only watch it on TV.

“I never got to train with the team and actually speak to the head coach.

“Hopefully now that I am around it will make more sense to know where I fit in and what’s the demand for this, what’s the objective “I think it will make more sense now that I am here.

“I have always played like 4-4-2 most of my career, always played as a ten.

“So we will see now how I fit in the team.”