New boy Colin Hawkins has told Albion fans he cannot wait for pre-season.

The Irish central defender was signed this week on a two-year deal after running out of contract at Coventry City, for whom he played just once last season.

Hawkins spent five months recovering from expert treatment he received in Sweden in October for an Achilles problem.

The avid Manchester United fan missed the Sky Blues' fairytale Carling Cup win at Old Trafford and had to wait until an end-of-season loan stint at League Two side Chesterfield to see serious action.

Now he has been brought south by Seagulls boss Micky Adams on a free contract and admits: "I can't wait for pre-season to start. That is not something you hear a footballer say too often.

"From what I've heard about Micky he likes a tough, physical pre-season but I'm hoping to get stuck into it.

"I got out on loan for the last month last season to get a few games, which was great because I was feeling fully fit.

"I played the last five games of the season and really enjoyed it. The season came to an end when I didn't really need it to.

"But the Achilles is absolutely perfect, which is the main thing."

Hawkins was signed for Coventry by Adrian Heath and only met Adams for the first time when talks started over a move to Withdean.

He admits, though, Adams has got it spot on when he says his new signing has many of the defensive qualities which made Danny Cullip such a favourite at the club.

He added: "I'm not going to be spraying passes all over the pitch or anything like that.

"I take pride in keeping clean sheets and just getting on with my job.

"I know the lads are very happy they finished seventh and my biggest task might be to get in the team."