Adam Webster admits the lure of returning to the Sussex coast was too good to turn down and has implied that he has been pushing for a move for some time after completing hios £20m switch from Bristol City to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The future of the 24-year-old has been uncertain throughout much of the summer following the emergence of several Premier League clubs who were chasing his signature in June.
Aston Villa made an unsuccessful bid of £12m but Bristol City CEO has indicated a number of other teams were also in the market for Bristol City's Player of the Season.
Brighton with Webster agreeing a four-year contract at the Amex Stadium, just 35 miles down the coast from where he grew up at West Wittering near Chichester.
“It’s been a bit of a drawn-out process, but I’m absolutely delighted to finally get it over the line. This move is a dream come true for me and my family, so I can’t wait to get started," Webster said.
“After speaking with the manager, my heart was set on coming here. I grew up nearby in Chichester, so to be closer to home is an added bonus for me.
"He [Graham Potter, Brighton manager] was in charge of a very good Swansea side last season, which played a lot of football. That’s something which will suit my game here, and I can’t wait to work with him.”
Webster joined Bristol City just over 12 months ago from Ipswich as an immediate replacement for the Middlesbrough-bound Aden Flint and proved an upgrade on the club favourite.
Alongside Tomas Kalas, he helped established one of the best defensive pairings outside of the Premier League and interest in his services this transfer window were inevitable.
City head coach Lee Johnson admitted earlier this week he was virtually powerless to keep Webster at the club given the offers of Premier League football and a substantial wage increase which could amount to six times his salary at BS3.
Webster's arrival at the Amex gives Brighton manager Graham Potter an excellent ball-playing defender also capable of the basics with the 24-year-old likely to line-up on the left-hand side of a three-man defence.
Webster also becomes Brighton's record transfer, eclipsing the £18m the club paid for Belgian winger Leandro Trossard from Genk in June.
"I like to be able to play out from the back, but I’m a defender, and my main job is to stop the ball going into the back of the net first and foremost," Webster added.
“I'm comfortable playing as a pair or in a trio and the three-man formation is one I have played in a fair few times at Bristol City, and at Ipswich too. It’s a system I am familiar with, if the manager decides to play that way.
“I prefer to play in the left side of defence, but I’ll go anywhere as long as I’m out there on the pitch.”
