Could Costinha signing solve a long-term problem?published at 08:55 BST 16 June
It's been a while coming but in Costinha Brighton have signed a player who they hope will solve a troublesome area over the last five years.
In 2020 Joel Veltman signed from Ajax and has made nearly 200 appearances for the Seagulls. The Dutchman is understood to be discussing a possible new deal but is now 34.
Over that period the Seagulls have sought to find a back-up solution with Pascal Gross, Jack Hinshelwood and Solly March all trying to fill in while Tariq Lamptey suffered persistent injury woes. More recently Mats Wieffer, signed as a central midfielder, has emerged as a decent combative option.
Costinha may have to battle Wieffer for his place but the 26-year-old Portuguese fits the robust, intense profile of player Fabian Hurzeler likes. He's described as a player who likes to attack and overlap which fits perfectly into the way the team plays.
His experience should also come in useful as Brighton embark on their second season in Europe. All in all, it is a signing that makes sense in many ways, and at around £11m it looks to be good value. The proof is in the pudding but it could be another inspired deal from a club that has built a reputation for thinking outside the box.
