Brighton & Hove Albion have officially announced the acquisition of Belgian defender Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge, securing him on a five-year contract. The transfer fee is reported to be around £17.5 million, marking a significant investment in the 24-year-old left-back.

Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton's manager, praised De Cuyper's winner's mentality and his extensive experience at both the Champions League and domestic levels. Last season, De Cuyper made 54 appearances across all competitions, helping Club Brugge reach the Champions League last 16, where they were eventually defeated by Aston Villa.

De Cuyper, who has been capped 10 times by the Belgian national team, is set to join Brighton this weekend as they commence their pre-season campaign. Hurzeler highlighted De Cuyper's versatility, stating, "Maxim is a creative left-back who has shown his ability across different positions, although we primarily see him challenging for a left-back spot with us."

This signing follows the recent addition of Olivier Boscagli from PSV Eindhoven, further strengthening Brighton's defensive lineup as they prepare for the challenges of the Premier League season.

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