Brighton sign Florin Andone for £5.25m fee from Deportivo La Coruna on five-year deal

BRIGHTON have signed Florin Andone from Deportivo La Coruna for £5.25million on five-year deal.

Andone, 25, had a release clause of around £26m (30m euros) in Spain's top flight but the Seagulls are believed to triggered his move at a lower fee after Deportivo were relegated to Spain's second tier.

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The Romania international netted 18 goals in 69 appearances for the Spanish club.

Chris Hughton told Brighton's official site: “We are delighted that Florin has agreed to join us. He is a player that we have tracked for some time, and he will add a new dimension to our attacking options.

“He is a very hard-working player, and has proven his quality at the highest level in Spain, as well as at international level. I am looking forward to working with him next season.”

Andone has picked up 21 caps for Romania and started all three of his country's group-stage games at Euro 2016.

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He moved to Spain, aged 12, after his father reportedly died in a car accident and did not play football for three years.

He was then picked up by second-tier side Castellon before moving to nearby Villarreal in 2013.

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After a loan switch to Atletico Baleares for 2013-14, he signed for Cordoba in July 2014 and struck 27 times in 58 games, before joining Deportivo in July 2016.

Andone comes as Brighton's second signing of the day after they netted 17-year-old Joseph Tomlinson from League Two outfit Yeovil.

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Brighton's netted Nigeria international defender Leon Balogun on a free transfer two days ago as their first signing of the summer.

The 29-year-old left Bundesliga side Mainz at the end of the season and has signed a two-year deal with the Seagulls.

He missed the 2014 World Cup through injury but has been named in Nigeria's initial 30-man squad for Russia 2018.