Former wantaway Brighton star commits future to the club

‘Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Dale Stephens has today agreed a new four-year deal - and committed his long-term future to the club’, a statement read on the club’s official website.

The 27-year-old’s future with The Seagulls has been up in the air for some time now after he had handed in a transfer request earlier in the season, when Brighton blocked a move to the Premier League with Burnley. 

With Stephens’ contract expiring this summer there were concerns that the club would lose the former Charlton man on a free so the announcement that he has a signed a new contract will come as a real boost to the fans as they prepare for life in the top-flight.

The midfielder has been a key player for Chris Hughton in their promotion campaign after all, averaging the second most passes per game for the Championship runners-up. Meanwhile, of all players to start at least 20 matches in England’s second tier last season only three boasted a greater pass accuracy than the Brighton man (87.5%).