Brighton pinches Deportivo striker Andone for reported £5.25M

Brighton & Hove Albion strengthened its attacking contingent on Friday with a swoop for Romanian striker Florin Andone.

The 25-year-old scored 18 goals across 69 appearances for Deportivo La Coruna and joins for a relatively modest £5.25 million, according to The Argus' Andy Naylor.

"We are delighted that Florin has agreed to join us. He is a player that we have tracked for some time, and he will add a new dimension to our attacking options," said manager Chris Hughton.

"He is a very hard-working player and has proven his quality at the highest level in Spain, as well as at international level. I am looking forward to working with him next season."

Andone will take some of the frontline burden from veteran Glenn Murray on the south coast, and will also compensate for the loss of Leonardo Ulloa following the expiration of his loan from Leicester City. Jurgen Locadia and Tomer Hemed played bit-part roles last season, while Sam Baldock made just two substitute appearances in the league after starting the campaign with calf problems.

Andone was born in Romania but made his first steps in the game in Spain after moving to the Iberian peninsula at an early age. He was picked up by Villarreal in 2013 following a spell with his first club CD Castellon of Segunda Division B, but it took another transfer to Cordoba a year later to truly showcase his striking talents and draw the attention of Deportivo in 2016.

He has won 21 caps for his country, and played three times at Euro 2016. He made his Romania debut against Northern Ireland in June 2015, in which he faced new Seagulls teammate Oliver Norwood.