Hammond sorry to Seagulls

Dean Hammond has attempted to appease Brighton's fans by apologising for the goal celebration which has overshadowed his return to the club.

Midfielder apologises to Brighton fans

Dean Hammond has attempted to appease Brighton's fans by apologising for the goal celebration which has overshadowed his return to the club. Hammond is back with the Seagulls on a season's loan from Southampton, more than four years after he controversially left to join Colchester. He angered Albion fans at their old Withdean ground by running along the touchline cupping his hand to his ear after scoring for Saints in a 2-2 draw in 2010. The 29-year-old told The Argus: "It was 100 per cent heat of the moment. Obviously, looking back on it I wish I hadn't done it. I never meant to offend anyone. "Things went on at the club that people don't know about and I left on a difficult note really. We had just won at Wembley a few days before and I was on a bit of a high as well. "I regret it now. I didn't mean to do it and I could never envisage myself doing anything like that again."