Brighton sign Wayne Bridge

Brighton have signed left-back Wayne Bridge on a season-long loan deal from Premier League champions Manchester City.

The 31-year-old was one of Gus Poyet’s main summer targets and the Albion boss is delighted to have agreed a deal with Bridge and City, who will pay the bulk of his £90,000 a week wages.

Poyet said, “It’s difficult to say how I happy I am because it’s not easy to get top-class players. 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.

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“There were a lot of things that had to come together to make it happen. Firstly, David Platt has been great at Manchester City and then Wayne and his agent have helped a lot too.

“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.”

Bridge brings a wealth of top-flight and Champions League experience to the Seagulls squad after racking up over 500 senior appearances throughout his career to date – as well as 36 caps for England.

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He graduated through Southampton’s academy and became a regular in their first team before Chelsea signed him for a fee in the region of £7m during the summer of 2003.

During six years at Stamford Bridge, he won the Premier League in 2004/05 and a cup double in 2007 as the Blues clinched the FA and League cups.

He joined Manchester City for £12m in January 2009 and has made 58 appearances for City. During his time at the Etihad Stadium has also had loan spells at West ham United and Sunderland before signing at the Amex this afternoon.