Brighton sign Estupinan from Villarreal to replace Cucurella

• Marc Cucurella left Brighton to join Premier League rivals Chelsea days before the start of the 2022/23 season started
• Brighton have already signed his replacement bringing on Pervis Estupinan from Villarreal
• Estupinan is the third summer signing for Graham Potter at the Amex stadium

Brighton and Hove Albion have completed the signing of defender Pervis Estupinan from LaLiga side Villarreal.

The Ecuador international arrives for an undisclosed fee reported to be worth £14million (€16.7m) and has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Amex Stadium.

The 24-year-old will add plenty of experience to the Seagulls’ back line, having won the Europa League with Villarreal in 2021, while also featuring for Granada, Almeria, Real Mallorca and Osasuna in Spain.

Estupinan, who has penned a five-year deal to 2017, was part of the Villarreal side that won the Europa League in 2021 and went on to reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Pervis Estupinan in a past match for Villarreal. The left-back has signed for Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. | PHOTO: Pro Sports |

Estupinan is already Brighton’s third Ecuadorian player alongside Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento, which he believes will help him settle at the Amex Stadium.

Signing a new left-back had been a priority following the sale of Marc Cucurella to Chelsea, and head coach Graham Potter is thrilled by the arrival of Estupinan, who racked up 74 appearances during his two-year spell at El Madrigal.

Marc Cucurella left Brighton for Premier League rivals Chelsea two weeks ago. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

“We’re excited by what Pervis brings us, and he fills a position to which we’ve been looking to add depth,” he told the club’s official website.

“In addition to his international experience, he has played for Villarreal in the Champions League and Europa League, as well as gaining plenty of experience in LaLiga.

“We will help him to settle here in England, but we’re looking forward to working with him and seeing him in action in the Premier League.”

Estupinan could make his Brighton debut when the Seagulls face West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.