Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Latvia international Vitalijs Maksimenko from Skonto Riga.

The Seagulls fought off interest from a number of Premier League and Championship clubs to land the 22-year-old left-back on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

"We have been aware of him for a while," said Brighton manager Gus Poyet. "He can bring more quality to our first-team in the future.

"He has quality on the ball. He'll train with the development squad to learn the way we play. Then it's up to him."

Maksimenko had a trial with Brighton in late November.