Brighton complete transfer of Ben Hall from Motherwell for an undisclosed fee

Brighton and Hove Albion have signed Ben Hall from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old centre-back has signed a two-year deal with the Sky Bet Championship club and will initially join Simon Rusk's U21 squad.

Hall, a Northern Ireland U19 international, started his career at Dungannon Swifts before moving to Fir Park in 2013.

He made his Motherwell debut in December last year in the 3-1 win over Dundee and made 19 appearances in all last season.

"Ben is an excellent young prospect and he made his breakthrough into the first-team at Motherwell in the second half of last season," Albion boss Chris Hughton said.

"For Ben, his challenge is not only to progress but to be ready to make that step up into the first-team squad. With no option of short-term loans, that is the challenge for each and every member of our U21 squad.

"They need to be ready, mentally and physically, to make that step up at any point in the season, as should we have an injury or suspension, that's where we will need to draw our cover from.

"While Connor Goldson had that bit more experience when he arrived last summer, his rapid progression in the second half of last season proves just how quickly players can and will progress at this club."

Rusk added: "Ben is a highly-rated young central defender, and was a regular for Motherwell in the second half of last season, playing 19 times for their first-team.

"He's a good athlete and footballer, but first and foremost a good defender. He has had that grounding of playing senior football in the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell.

"He will begin the season with our U21 squad, but his challenge, along with the others, is to push on and progress into our first-team squad."

Hall knocked back several new contract offers to stay at Motherwell and instead elected to pen a two-year deal at the Amex Arena.

Well boss Mark McGhee admitted he was disappointed to lose the defender but revealed he has already eyed up a potential replacement.

He said: "We are obviously disappointed Ben has chosen Brighton, but this is further vindication of our policy at the club of developing young talent and should give hope to the youngsters currently at the club and in the academy.

"We have been in discussions with Ben for the best part of five months, however, we have always been conscious that this may happen and, as such, have been working on a replacement, which we hope to announce soon.

"Ben has done well, and we wish him well in the English Championship, but his departure provides an opportunity for someone else to hopefully make a similar sort of impact."