BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION have completed the signing of Manchester United target Bart Verbruggen.
The Seagulls announced the transfer with a Simpsons-themed reveal which sent their fans wild on social media.
twitter / @OfficialBHAFCBrighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Bart Verbruggen[/caption]
twitter / @OfficialBHAFCBart Verbruggen’s arrival was announced with a Simpsons-themed reveal[/caption]
Verbruggen has signed a five-year deal with Roberto De Zerbi’s side after arriving from Anderlecht for a fee in the region of £17million.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper established himself as the Belgian side’s first-choice between the sticks last term.
After making his league debut on Boxing Day, he ended the season with 37 appearances to his name as he helped his side reach the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
He also played all three matches for the Netherlands at the Under-21 Euros and has been called up by the senior side in the past.
Verbruggen had been a target for both United and newly-promoted Burnley earlier this summer.
Erik ten Hag had even identified the youngster as his preferred choice to replace David de Gea at Old Trafford.
However, he has instead joined Brighton, who referenced his namesake from The Simpsons in their announcement video.
In the clip, Verbruggen can be seen recreating Bart Simpson’s iconic chalkboard scene from the show’s opening credits.
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As the video pans across a whiteboard, he writes out “I will sign for Brighton” multiple times before turning and saying it to the camera.
Brighton supporters have lapped up the reveal on social media, with one tweeting: “Good announcement oh my days!”
“Great announcement video that.”
“W admin has returned. Quality announcement.”
twitter / @OfficialBHAFCBart Verbruggen has signed a five-year deal with Brighton & Hove Albion[/caption]
“I never knew I could love Brighton any more than I already do and then they drop a Simpsons-based announcement video. What a club.”
Verbruggen is Brighton’s fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Joao Pedro, James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud.