Tuesday 9 May 2017 15:14, UK
Dale Stephens has signed a new four-year deal with Brighton ahead of the club's first season in the Premier League.
The midfielder, whose previous deal was due to expire at the end of June, is now committed to the Seagulls until the summer of 2021.
Stephens handed in a transfer request last summer following several rejected bids from Burnley, but remained at Brighton and scored seven goals in 45 appearances as they won automatic promotion.
"It's a different scenario this year. The reason I wanted to move to Burnley was because of Premier League football, there's no secret about that," the 27-year-old told Sky Sports News HQ.
"That's why I am so happy to have put pen-to-paper to stay here for four years and hopefully four Premier League years.
"It's moved quite quickly over the last two weeks once we got promoted and I was desperate to get it done."
Stephens joined Brighton from Charlton Athletic in January 2014 and has since gone on to play 75 times for the club, scoring on 11 occasions.
