Seagulls swoop for non-league ace

Brighton have snapped up midfielder Doug Loft from non-league Hastings United.

The former Chelsea junior impressed during a trial spell and the 19-year-old has now been handed an 18-month deal by manager Mark McGhee.

"He's a young player who has shown really well in training and in reserve games and we've given him an opportunity," McGhee told the club's website.

"We've given him an 18-month contract and he needs now to prove to us that he is a player, and that he's worthy of a longer and more serious contract than he signed today.

"We have high hopes for him. He's a midfield player with energy who gets forward, a little bit like Dean Hammond. He's one for the future."