Goalkeeper Stockdale joins Albion

GOALKEEPER David Stockdale has joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Fulham for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

The Leeds-born 28-year-old stopper is Albion’s fourth new recruit of the close season, joining his former Craven Cottage team-mate Aaron Hughes, midfilder Nzuzi Toko and striker Chris O’Grady.

Seagulls manager Sami Hyypia said: “We are delighted to have completed David’s signing from Fulham, and I am pleased to welcome him to the club.

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“It is a transfer we have been working on for some time – and David is a goalkeeper with excellent pedigree. He has got very good experience of the Premier League and Championship, but at 28 is in his prime.”

Goalkeeping coach Antti Niemi played alongside Stockdale at Fulham, and Hyypia added: “Antti knows David very well from their time together as players at Fulham. He knows his strengths and attributes, and David was on the fringes of the England senior squad not too long ago.

“Alongside Casper Ankergren and Christian Walton, David’s arrival means we are satisfied with our goalkeeping options ahead of the new season.

“We still have some work to do in other areas in terms of recruitment, but we are making good progress and this is an excellent signing and another quality addition to the squad.”

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Yorkshireman Stockdale began his career with York City and Darlington before moving to Fulham in 2008 in a deal reported to be worth £600,000.

He had various loan spells, including at Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Hull City – and he helped the Tigers secure promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13.

Last season, he established himself as first-choice keeper at Craven Cottage, and was the stand-out performer in a Fulham side which was relegated – and made more than 50 senior appearances for the London club.

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