Brighton completes signing of Cameroonian rising-star Baleba

Brighton have signed former Ecole de Foot midfeilder, Carlos Baleba on a five-year deal for 27m euros (£23.2m) from French side Lille.

The 19-year-old Cameroon-born midfeilder only made his Lille debut 12 months ago but has forged an impressive reputation.

Baleba will fill the hole left by Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, who joined Chelsea from Brighton for a British record £115m.

Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi said: “He will be the future of the club.”

Baleba made 19 league appearances for Lille last season.

He played two games in this campaign before being left on the bench for Lille’s 4-1 defeat by Lorient on Sunday.

De Zerbi added: “Carlos is a very good player. He’s very young but a specific player for our style.”