New Brighton & Hove Albion manager Sami Hyypia has revealed his eagerness to keep Leonardo Ulloa at the club ahead of next season.

Ulloa found the back of the net 16 times as Brighton narrowly missed out on a place in the Championship playoff final, and he is believed to be a target for Leicester City, who are reportedly targeting a number of strikers as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.

"I think for every club it's very important to keep hold of your best players," Hyypia is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"I hope he will play here at least a year, but maybe even after that as well. I think he was an important player last season and we will need him as well to play well the next season."

Brighton are also believed to be in the market for a striker, with Chelsea's Islam Feruz a reported target.