Brighton sign Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupinan for £14.9m to replace Marc Cucurella

Brighton have announced the £14.9million signing of Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupinan, who arrives on a five-year deal.

The 24-year-old will likely replace Marc Cucurella as the first-choice left-back at the club, although Solly March has impressed on the left flank during Albion’s unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.

Head coach Graham Potter told the club website: ‘We’re excited by what Pervis brings us and he fills a position to which we’ve been looking to add depth.

Brighton have signed Ecuador and Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupinan for a fee worth £14.9m

‘In addition to his international experience, he has played for Villarreal in the Champions League and Europa League, as well as gaining 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 played for Ecuador club side LDU Quito before he joined Watford five years ago.

The 24-year-old arrives as a replacement for Marc Cucurella, who joined Chelsea for £62m

Graham Potter marshalled Brighton to a 2-1 win against Man United on the opening weekend

However, the full-back struggled to carve out a first-team spot at Vicarage Road and was subsequently loaned out for four seasons, taking up arms with Granada, Almeria, Mallorca and Osasuna between 2017 and 2020.

After joining Villarreal, Estupinan helped Unai Emery to Europa League glory during his first campaign with the LaLiga side. 

Brighton take on West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday having beaten Manchester United 2-1 and drawn 0-0 with Newcastle in their opening two games.