Championship: Vitalijs Maksimenko leaves Brighton on a season-long loan
Monday 1 September 2014 16:39, UK
Brighton's Vitalijs Maksimenko has joined VVV-Venlo on a season-long loan.
The 23-year-old Latvian defender has made just one appearance for the Seagulls this season, in the Capital One Cup against Cheltenham.
Manager Sami Hyypia told the club's webiste: "At this stage of his career it's important for Vitalijs that he plays regular games and continues to learn as part of his development.
"He's a good defender, a very good professional, and a player who works hard, trains well and wants to get better, but his options here this season are limited with the defenders we have at the club.
"At the moment he would be our fourth choice, but at his age he needs to play regular first-team football, which is also important for his international aspirations."
He joined the club in January 2013 but has made just three appearances for the Sky Bet Championship club.
He has spent time on loan with Yeovil and, for the second half of last season, in the SPL with Kilmarnock.
