London, July 25, 2018 (AFP)
Brighton have signed Iran winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh from AZ Alkmaar for what the English Premier League side said Wednesday was a "club-record" fee.
The Seagulls, however, have not disclosed the amount they paid to Dutch club Alkmaar to bring the 24-year-old Jahanbakhsh to England's south coast on a five-year deal.
Jahanbakhsh made three appearances for Iran at this year's World Cup in Russia and was also the leading scorer in the Netherlands' top-flight Eredivisie last season with 21 goals in 33 games.
"We are delighted to welcome Alireza to the club," said Brighton manager Chris Hughton in a statement. "We are particularly pleased to get this deal over the line.
"Ali is a player that we have been aware of and monitored for a few years, and his versatility will increase our attacking options within the squad.
"He can play in a wide position or a central midfield attacking role, and I am now very much looking forward to working with him."
Jahanbakhsh's arrival makes him the eighth new player to have joined Brighton in pre-season following Florin Andone, Leon Balogun, Yves Bissouma, David Button, Bernardo Fernandes da Silva Junior, Jason Steele and Percy Tau.