Brighton man delighted tough choice is now paying off – Always “wanted to stay” despite rumours

Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke has admitted he is delighted he remained at the club this summer and didn’t move elsewhere.

The defender has been speaking to Viaplay in the Netherlands ahead of Brighton’s clash with Ajax in the Europa League later this season.

The Seagulls kick off their European campaign against AEK this evening before taking on the Dutch side later this year in arguably the big ties of Group B.

It is ironic that the two clubs were paired up together for the group stages of this year’s competition, at least when it comes to Van Hecke, who was linked with a move from Brighton to Ajax throughout the summer.

He had returned to the Seagulls from a loan spell at Blackburn last summer but only manager a handful of appearances last season, leading to suggestions he could be on the way this year.

That didn’t happen, though, and he’s found himself as more of a regular under Roberto de Zerbi this season, featuring in 60% of the available minutes in the Premier League so far.

It seems his future will be at Brighton, and he’s delighted that he decided to remain where he was rather than move on.

“I actually have no idea, I read it in the newspaper,” he said regarding the Ajax rumours.

“But I always wanted to stay at Brighton because I knew I was on the right track and was probably going to get minutes. Looking back, I’m just glad I made that choice. That is now paying off.”