Manchester City's Wayne Bridge has dropped down to the npower Championship and joined Brighton on a season-long loan deal.
The 31-year-old former England left-back moved to the Etihad Stadium from Chelsea in 2009 but has endured a torrid time in recent years, having been frozen out by manager Roberto Mancini.
Seagulls manager Gus Poyet revealed Bridge has been one of his main summer targets and is delighted to be able to bring in the former Southampton defender.
"It's difficult to say how happy I am because it's not easy to get top-class players," Poyet told the club's official website, www.seagulls.co.uk.
"I'm absolutely delighted to have Wayne with us. He's been one of the top three left-backs in this country for many years."
Bridge was farmed out to West Ham and Sunderland over the past two seasons and has now agreed another loan that will see him spend the next campaign at Brighton.
Poyet added: "It was not an easy one to secure, but this is what we want at this club. He's a quality player with lots of international experience.
"Wayne has played at the top of English football for a long time.
"We have all got to learn from him and I'm sure that he will have a very good season with us.
"It's going to be very nice to sit back and watch him on the pitch."
