Gus Poyet has revealed Brighton fended off interest from rival clubs to sign Steve Harper on a month's loan from Newcastle.
Seagulls boss delighted to add keeper's experience to his squad
Gus Poyet has revealed Brighton & Hove Albion fended off interest from rival clubs to sign Steve Harper on a month's loan from Newcastle United.
Harper has joined the Seagulls after failing to make a first-team appearance for Newcastle this season and he is set to replace Casper Ankergren for Monday night's game against West Ham United.
The 36-year-old will add experience to Brighton's squad and Poyet is happy to have beaten other Championship clubs to his signature.
"There were plenty of teams interested in Steve," the Brighton boss told
The Argus. "It wasn't easy.
"We are very pleased and lucky to have got him. I am not going to say the names of the teams but there were others."
Poyet added on the club's
official website: "Steve was available and with the huge amount of Premiership and Championship experience he has, we felt he would add something to the squad.
"He will use that experience to help the defensive players and the goalkeepers, and help us get back to the defensive form we showed earlier in the season.
"Of course, our fans will know all about Steve and his qualities. He is a top player and will bring a great deal of experience to the defence."
