ALBION have beaten off competition from at home and abroad to complete the capture of League of Ireland star Richie Towell.

The prolific Dundalk No.10 has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Seagulls.

Towell, the Irish PFA player of the year, attracted widespread interest after 29 goals in all competitions this season for double winners Dundalk.

He told The Argus: "There were a couple of other Championship clubs interested and some teams from Turkey and the States as well but for my development this is the right move for me.

"Brighton are a very ambitious club and I'm a very ambitious player, so hopefully we can move forward."

Former Celtic prospect Towell hopes to enhance his bid for a late call-up into Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland squad for next summer's Euro finals in France by forcing his way into the plans of Albion manager Chris Hughton and his No.2 Colin Calderwood.

Towell said of Hughton, capped 53 times by Ireland: "He seems like a great manager, so I'm going to be very privileged to work with him.

"I was very lucky to work with Colin Calderwood at Hibs - he brought me there when I was really young - so to get back working with him again is going to be great.

"First and foremost I need to break into the Brighton squad. They have some really good players. I know it's not going to be easy for me.

"But I'm very determined to give the manager a few headaches. I'm really excited to get started. I can't play until the first of January, so I need to keep myself in the best shape possible and hopefully I can hit the ground running."

Hughton said: "He is something different to the number of very good midfield options we already have here at the club and I am really looking forward to having him as part of our squad in the New Year.”