The Seagulls secured Championship star Femi Azeez and midfield anchor Chema Andres in a late flurry, fortifying Fabian Hürzeler’s squad with elite technical talent and youthful physicality.
Brighton and Hove Albion have completed the double signing of both Femi Azeez from Millwall and Chema Andres from Stuttgart.
What type of deals are they? Will they suit Brighton?
Azeez has finalised his £12.5 million move, including add-ons up to £15 million. The player was pictured arriving at Lancing Training Ground earlier this evening by Sky Sports on their deadline-day show.
An exciting signing, and one that could prove to be a bargain considering the fees of players who usually leave the Championship for the Premier League. Players like Hayden Hackney to Everton in this window were £25 million, while Albion sold Carl Rushworth to Coventry City for up to £30 million.
Azeez made the PFA Championship Team of the Season last season and contributed to 19 goals in the league, including 11 goals and 8 assists.
The exciting winger will provide strong backup for Yankuba Minteh, who remained at the club despite Liverpool's efforts to get him to move to Anfield. That deal could be revisited in January.
As for Andres, another smart piece of business for a very low fee. Around £15.5 million has been reported, a 5-year-deal, and the steady number 6 has been nicknamed 'baby Rodri'. In terms of player profile, they couldn't be much more similar.
Strong on the ball, composed, good in the challenge and a true old-school holding midfielder. Albion have struggled with players who like to play as anchors to the defence.
Andres could become the next player who is associated with people saying the good old phrase 'Brighton have done it again'. With some physical improvements, this is a potential world-class talent in terms of technical ability.
Players now want to join Brighton
Real Madrid had a buy-back clause in his contract at Stuttgart, but they will now lose the rights to the player.
Andres wanted to join Brighton, and since it was one that came out of the blue, he has literally travelled directly from training to Brighton in order to get a deal over the line.
A quite reassuring fact is that a significant portion of the signings this summer have been as attracted to the Seagulls as they have been. Azeez submitted a transfer request at Millwall, Luka Vuskovic wanted to force a move to Brighton, and Andres has had a similar story.
Since losing Carlos Baleba for a stunning £70 million to Manchester United this summer, Fabian Hürzeler will have wanted more physicality in his midfield.
While both signings will have a rawness about them (25 and 21 years old, respectively), Brighton will be an ideal place for them to grow.
