English-born Ghanaian defender Tariq Lamptey has opened up on the reason behind his move to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Lamptey left English giants Chelsea to join the Seagulls on a three-and-a-half-year deal on transfer Deadline Day.

He was touted as the next big thing at Chelsea after making his first-team debut in their Premier League win at Arsenal last month.

However, his move to Brighton has come as a shock to a section of the Blues fans but the 19-year-old believes it is the right move to continue his development though he finds it difficult to digest.

‘It was a really tough decision to leave as I’ve been at Chelsea since the age of seven and seen it all the way to the under-23s, and then the first team,’ said the teenager after Brighton confirmed the transfer.

‘It was a proud moment when I made my Premier League debut, but I felt that it was the right time to start a new chapter and come to this brilliant club.

‘The manager and the club have shown great faith in bringing me here. I just hope I can repay their trust, and help the club reach their goals and objectives.

‘It was a proud moment when I made my Premier League debut, but I felt that it was the right time to start a new chapter and come to this brilliant club.

‘The manager and the club have shown great faith in bringing me here. I just hope I can repay their trust, and help the club reach their goals and objectives.”

”They are a team on the up with a great fanbase, training ground and stadium and they have everything I need to become a better player.”

Lamptey is eligible to play for Ghana despite featuring for the youth England sides.