Jahanbakhsh joins Brighton

Brighton have confirmed the club-record signing of Alireza Jahanbakhsh from AZ Alkmaar.

The Iran international winger, 24, has signed a five-year contract with the club to become their eighth summer signing after an undisclosed fee was agreed for him to leave the Eredivisie.

Jahanbakhsh made three appearances for his country at this summer’s World Cup, increasing his total to 41 caps, and was also the top scorer in the 2017/18 Eredivisie with 21 goals in 33 games.

“We are delighted to welcome Alireza to the club,” Brighton manager Chris Hughton told the club’s official website. “We are particularly pleased to get this deal over the line.

“Ali is a player that we have been aware of and monitored for a few years, and his versatility will increase our attacking options within the squad.

“He can play in a wide position or central midfield attacking role, and I am now very much looking forward to working with him.”

Jahanbakhsh’s arrival follows those of Florin Andone, Leon Balogun, Yves Bissouma, David Button, Bernardo, Jason Steele and Percy Tau.

The newest recruit said he could have joined Brighton three years ago and was satisfied to finally seal the move away from the Netherlands.

Jahanbakhsh said: “It’s been a long process to get here, with some busy days deciding where to go, but I’m finally here and very happy about my decision.”

He added of his switch from the Dutch league: “The end of last season was a good time for me to move outside of the country.

“I decided to move and I was thinking a lot, asking people that I trust, and most of them were really positive about joining Brighton.”