Brighton & Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk has pledged his future to the Championship club by signing a new five-year contract at the Amex Stadium.

The 23-year-old was said to be on the radar of Premier League Newcastle United and division rivals Fulham, and was reportedly fined for refusing to play in the League Cup against Southend United earlier this month.

Dunk said in a statement released by the club on Monday: "I am absolutely delighted to commit my long-term future to the club. I know there has been a lot of speculation but I have been with this club for a long time and genuinely had little desire to go anywhere else.

"The manager and club made it clear that they see me as an important part of the future and seeing that desire to keep me here made it an easy decision in the end.

"My focus now is to help the club continue the excellent start we have made to the new season and ultimately to help Albion achieve the aim of playing football in the Premier League."

Brighton sit second in the Championship table with 10 points from four games.