Brighton & Hove Albion sign Wayne Bridge on loan

Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge on a season-long loan.

The 31-year-old has agreed to join Gus Poyet's team until the end of the season as he searches out regular first-team football.

Bridge joined City in January 2009, but he has failed to nail down a spot in the team and has since spent periods on loan at West Ham United and Sunderland.

Poyet told reporters: "It's difficult to say how happy I am because it's not easy to get top-class players. I'm absolutely delighted to have Wayne with us. He's been one of the top three left-backs in this country for many years.

"There were a lot of things that had to come together to make it happen. Firstly, David Platt has been great at Manchester City and then Wayne and his agent have helped a lot too. It was not an easy one to secure, but this is what we want at this club. He's a quality player with lots of international experience.

"Wayne has played at the top of English football for a long time. We have all got to learn from him and I'm sure that he will have a very good season with us. It's going to be very nice to sit back and watch him on the pitch."

City are understood to be paying the majority of his £100,000-a-week wages.