Introducing Markus Suttner…Brighton’s new Austrian dynamo

Chris Hughton’s overhaul of Brighton & Hove Albion is well underway right now, with four summer signings having now been secured. But what can Seagulls fans expect from the latest arrival, Markus Suttner?

The 30-year-old arrives from German club FC Ingolstadt, following a campaign in which he was probably the top performer for the Bundesliga minnows – as they valiantly (but in the end fruitlessly) battled against relegation.

Left-back Suttner netted four times in the German top-flight last term, as well as chalking up five assists – including setting up a pair of goals in the club’s memorable 3-3 draw with giants Borussia Dortmund.

That was the Hollabrunn native’s second campaign with Ingolstadt, having initially made his name during eight seasons at Austria Vienna, helping the club to a league title in 2012-13, a season in which he managed a bumper haul of eight assists.

Combative as well as creative, the experienced defender is hugely effective coming forward, but just as adept at producing a superb last-ditch challenge at the other end. However, while he is tough Suttner does know how to toe the line, having received a flurry of career yellow cards, but only a solitary red in 401 senior games.

As well as impressing at club level, he’s been a trusted lieutenant for national side Austria, having chalked up 20 caps since making his debut in 2012 – and the full-back was included in Marcel Koller’s Euro 2016 squad.

That all means he’s likely to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League, especially with one of his former Ingolstadt teammates also joining Brighton this summer.

Midfielder Pascal Gross was a lynchpin for Die Schanzer during his five-year stint with the club, and the pair linked up well with one another throughout the club’s two seasons in the Bundesliga.

Things are shaping up very nicely for Brighton ahead of the coming season, especially with the likes of highly-rated goalkeeper Mat Ryan also arriving from Valencia.

Right now, the Seagulls are 8/13 to secure survival in their first Prem campaign. But if their new signings click into gear quickly – as we reckon they will – it could be the 9/1 on a top-half finish which proves to be the most rewarding bet.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing