Brighton adds European pedigree with Ales Mateju signing

Brighton & Hove Albion is getting the Ales in.

The Premier League newcomer snapped up right-back Ales Mateju from Viktoria Plzen on Friday for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience from having played in the Europa League and Champions League qualification stage, and he won the Czech Liga with Viktoria in 2016.

"He has good experience for his age and the stage of his career he is at; we are delighted to welcome him to the club and the plan now is to break into the first-team group," said manager Chris Hughton.

"Initially we will monitor his progress in training over the coming weeks, and then make a decision in terms of what is best for Ales' development - and one of the options might be for him to go on loan in order to continue playing regular senior football."

Mateju agreed a three-year contract with the Seagulls, and is the eighth signing this summer in a window highlighted by the arrivals of goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and midfielder Pascal Gross.

Potentially without star turn Anthony Knockaert in tow, Brighton welcomes Manchester City to the Falmer Stadium in its inaugural Premier League match on Aug. 12.