He is already the most successful foreign import in Albion's history and now another record is within his grasp.

Michel Kuipers could become the Seagulls' longest serving goalkeeper if he achieves his aim of remaining with the club for the rest of his career.

There is every chance then that the popular Dutchman would eclipse Brian Powney's 14-year stay and 350-plus appearances.

Kuipers has just signed a new two-year contract, which puts him on course for a testimonial. He will be 34 next month but, in goalkeeping terms, time is still on his side.

They tend to mature much later than outfield players and Kuipers, accustomed to high physical and mental standards as a former Dutch marine, believes he has plenty of football left in him He said: "Off the pitch is part of being a professional, to look after yourself. That is one of the things I got out of being in the marines. You have to focus on your whole lifestyle.

"I have still got a long career ahead of me. I am physically very fit and I work hard in training. I always give 100 per cent on and off the pitch.

"I love the club and the supporters have been magnificent over the last eight years. It was very easy for me to continue things the way they have been going.

"I would definitely like to stay at Brighton for my whole career. Apart from my family, the football club is the closest thing to my heart.

"I have been living here now for a long time. I feel more Brightonian than anything. In that respect it is like playing at home."

Free transfer Kuipers, fresh from an ever-present campaign under former manager Dean Wilkins, will be back where he started next season, playing for Micky Adams who brought him to the South Coast on a free transfer from Bristol Rovers.

The first of his 228 Albion appearances only lasted until half-time. Adams took him off on the opening day of the title-winning season of 1999-2000 at Southend, due primarily to his suspect kicking.

Adams said: "Michel is a good goalkeeper at this level but I still maintain he has flaws in his game that he needs to work on.

"That has never changed over the years when I was working with him and when I have seen him since.

"But in the games I have seen, and certainly in the DVDs I've seen, he kept them in the game a lot of times last season with some outstanding saves.

"His contract was something I spoke to Dick (chairman Dick Knight) about. Michel had indicated to us that he would like to stay for longer and I am more than happy to reward him, because he was outstanding last season. I think the fans would agree with that."

As for Kuipers, he is excited by the reappointment of Adams. Ever the optimist, he sees it as another step towards the ultimate dream when the time finally comes to hang his gloves up.

"Hopefully we will be in the Premier League," Kuipers said. "Now that we are going to start building Falmer, every piece of the jigsaw is in place to become a massive club.

"We have got a really big fan base and Micky Adams is a very good manager. He knows what it takes to get us out of League One but also out of the Championship. He did that with Leicester and he has got the experience you need to move on.

"I think it shows great ambition from the chairman and the Board to bring Micky Adams back to the club. He has great knowledge about the game and he also has very good contacts.

"He is highly respected by managers all over the country so I think when it comes to, for example, bringing players to the club he can play a major part in our success."

Four weeks into his second stint, Adams has already added to the squad left-winger Kevin McLeod from Colchester and centre-half Colin Hawkins from Coventry.

The group of young pros offered new one-year deals by Wilkins, including Kuipers' understudy John Sullivan, have until June 17 to confirm acceptance.

One of them, Doug Loft, put pen to paper yesterday.