Brighton complete Pervis Estupinan signing from Villarreal

Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Pervis Estupinan from Villarreal.

Estupinan has signed a five-year deal at Brighton after The Athletic reported a deal was close earlier on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old former Watford defender replaces Spaniard Marc Cucurella for a fee of just under £15million ($18.1m).

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Brighton paid £15million to sign Cucurella from Getafe a year ago before selling him to Chelsea for a package worth over £60million ($72.5m), including add-ons, earlier this month.

On Estupinan’s arrival, Brighton head coach Graham Potter said: “We’re excited by what Pervis brings us and he fills a position to which we’ve been looking to add depth.

“In addition to his international experience, he has played for Villareal in the Champions League and Europa League, as well as plenty of experience in La Liga.

“We will help him to settle here in England, but we’re looking forward to working with him and seeing him in action in the Premier League.”

Estupinan joined Villarreal for around £15million in 2020 on a seven-year contract without ever making a first-team appearance for Watford.

Watford loaned him to Granada B, Almeria, Mallorca and Osasuna — who all play in the top two flights of Spanish football.

Brighton’s next game is away against West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday.

GO DEEPER

Cucurella's exit is a bigger problem for Brighton than losing White or Bissouma

(Photo: Getty Images)