Fulham goalkeeper David Button has joined Brighton and Hove Albion for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m, the club have confirmed this evening.
The news concludes Albion’s summer-long pursuit of the Cottagers’ goalkeeper as back up to Australian international Mat Ryan. Button, who came through the ranks at Tottenham’s academy, has signed a three-year contract with Chris Hughton’s side and is thought to be excited about getting another opportunity at Premier League level after falling down the Fulham pecking order last season.
Hughton told Brighton’s official website this evening:
We’re delighted to bring a goalkeeper of David’s experience to the club. With Christian Walton and Robert Sanchez going out on loan this season, we felt we needed someone to provide further competition for places in that area of the team.He has a wealth of experience, having made over 300 appearances during his career so far, and I’m sure he will work well with Maty Ryan and Jason Steele.
Button moves to the south coast after spending two years in SW6, following a free transfer from Fulham’s local rivals Brentford in July 2016. The 29 year-old goalkeeper arrived at Craven Cottage as Slavisa Jokanovic’s first choice and made 60 first-team appearances, but was dropped towards the end of Fulham’s 2016/2017 campaign after costly mistakes in a defeat at Derby County. Button regained his place from Marcus Bettinelli at the start of last season but was replaced by the Fulham academy graduate after an error in the defeat at Griffin Park last December and spent the remainder of the season on the substitutes’ bench.
Fulham have been in the market for a goalkeeper to challenge Bettinelli for the number one jersey as they prepare for their top flight return, with the club being heavily linked with moves for the former Brighton and Newcastle stopper Tim Krul and Besiktas’ Spanish custodian Fabri.
