By Tim Hodges
Jake Forster-Caskey has signed a contract which keeps him at the Albion until 2015.
The 18-year-old scored on his full debut against Southampton in January and again in the FA Cup 3rd round tie against Wrexham.
The midfielder is a product of Albion’s academy programme. He has said how much he enjoys the way that Albion manager Gus Poyet approaches the game and feels that this suits his own style of play.
He said: “I’m really happy with the new deal. It’s an up and coming club and I signed my first contract at 17, so to get another one so soon is something that I’m really happy with.
“It’s the only club that I have played at but every year I have progressed as I’ve wanted to. I’ve set myself goals and I’ve reached them, so it’s the only club I want to be a part of.
“The style Gus plays is perfect for me. I’m not a player who is going to kick it long, so at Brighton I can get the ball down. It’s a great place to be.
“It was really nice to have a run in the first team last season and now I’ve done it once I want to get more. At the moment I’m just thinking about my club football and hoping to do well for Brighton.
“The development squad set up has helped me. We pass the ball and there are some really good players in there.
“It’s been good for me but now I have set my sights on pushing for more first-team football this season.”
Poyet said: “This is very good news for the football club. I’m delighted. It’s important for us to keep him at the club and to make sure that he finishes his development with us.
“It’s great news for the football club and for everyone who has been working with him in the past, especially Martin Hinshelwood.
“He doesn’t look 17 or 18 years of age on the pitch with the senior professionals, and when he made the jump up to the first team he had the same character.
“He knows the way we play and he has been doing that with Luke Williams in the development squad.”
Meanwhile, the Seagulls are hopeful of signing Spanish star Vicente Rodriguez for another season. Poyet has been quoted as saying that Albion have a 95 per cent chance of the former Valencia player returning to the Amex.
