Town will have to look elsewhere for their new first-choice keeper with number one target Tomasz Kuszczak completing a Bosman free move to Brighton and Hove Albion this evening, signing a two-year deal. As reported in April, the 30-year-old Pole, who was released by Manchester United at the end of the season, was the man Paul Jewell wanted to see between the Portman Road sticks next season.

Brighton boss Gus Poyet was delighted to win the race for the one-time West Brom man, who was also being chased by sides in Germany: "There were clubs in England and abroad interested in Tomasz, but it says a lot for the ambition of this club that he wanted to sign for Brighton.

"We had been tracking his progress for some time and he will provide real competition to both Casper Ankergren and Peter Brezovan for the goalkeeper’s jersey this coming season — and that can only be a good thing for the team moving forward."

Kuszczak outlined why he chose to join the Seagulls: "I have played Premier League football for eight years, with West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, and I believe the structure is in place here to join them.

"The manager and coaching staff, the team, stadium, crowds, through to the plans for the new training ground, everything is geared up for playing at the highest level and I could sense that ambition to be a top club straight away.

"Also when I played against Brighton last season, while on loan at Watford, I was very impressed with the way the team played - it was totally different to the rest of the Championship and more like what I was used to at Manchester United.

"This team likes to pass the ball, they like to create, they are attractive to watch. The way Brighton play is the future of football. I had other clubs who wanted to sign me but my heart told me that this was the right choice."

In addition to their interest in Kuszczak, the Blues sounded out former Peterborough keeper Joe Lewis prior to his move to Cardiff, while QPR’s Paddy Kenny has also been mentioned in connection with Town, however, is expected to be reunited with Neil Warnock at Leeds United.

Watford’s Scott Loach, Manchester United youngster Ben Amos, former Aston Villa man Brad Guzan and Birmingham’s Colin Doyle, who was recently offered new terms by the Midlanders, have all also been linked.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

NastyPasty added 01:34 - Jun 20 Lmao.. Who was 2 say we were even in for him??? Just rumours. But loving the fact its ruffled a few brighton feathers. Say what u want guys... PJ's Barmy Army gonna put loads of balls past your new flapper this season. sooner u realise this, the bette.r
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LondonSeagull added 01:37 - Jun 20 Every village has one.
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NastyPasty added 03:23 - Jun 20 Well done brighton on your new signing.. look forward to watching the keeper we so called slip through the net... let the ball hit by Jimmy B or Chops to name just a couple of pj's Barmy Army put a few more in your net next season lol.. In PJ I trust. Next season is PJ's season. ;-)
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Marcus added 04:02 - Jun 20 Who says we're bigger than Brighton? Sure, when they were just keeping their heads above water at the Goldstone Ground we were but they've progressed while we've regressed. Jewell's job is to steady a ship that was rapidly sinking after the Keane torpedo. We're in a mess. Evans is still heavily supporting the club with loan notes and with the fair play situation we've needed to cut down player wages. All we can afford for senior players is one or two year contracts. Anyway who says we tabled a bid? Perhaps PJ has something else lined up? One more thing. When people talk about young, hungry players the one exception I'd happily make is the goalkeeper.

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airliner added 06:27 - Jun 20 To be fair we have be linked with about every player thats leaving or being sold. Its just a really weary process every day being linked with this player and that player. Do we really beleve that ITFC has the pulling power of Poyet and their amex stadium. Brighton is London by the sea and has a realistic chance of promotion. We have been in the championship for 10 years and have probably rthe lowest wages on offer for these journeymen ; they are all in it for the money not playing for the badge. So lets wait and see.

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davidsc1971 added 06:51 - Jun 20 I'm from the South Coast. Brighton is a cracking place to live and the club is well run, shows definite aspiration of progressing further, they have a new ground and solid management team. I can see why he signed there. But it's one player. It was only (probable) rumour that we were interested and he never stated that he was interested in us. We have time to find another and ALB isn't that bad either. There are better, there are worse. Actually I can see why some Brighton fans are upset too. Football changes. We've all seen how difficult the Championship looks next season but it's the reputation or history of those clubs that we register not the fact that we're all tier 2 clubs with everything to play for. Conversely a lot of clubs in the Premier League I still think at first glance aren't really Premier League clubs - they're too small or are from Norfolk - but again the reality is that they've earned their place there and this is what we must do too. We no longer have the right to say we're a big club. We were a big club once and must fight to become one again. If you need proof of this look at the name of this website. But I am Blue through and through, progression can be achieved - so let's let this one player pass by, keep calm and carry on. COME ON YOU BLUES!

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floridaboy added 06:56 - Jun 20 Maybe players dont want to come here as they have heard about all the moaning and groaning fans that apparently attend games at PR! Dont blame the club if and it is an if players ask for silly money and we wont pay it. No one actually knows if we actually spoke to the keeper. Probably paper talk. Did PJ actually come out and say he wanted to sign him?
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WarkyWonderLand added 07:41 - Jun 20 Still say Tom Heaton. Has had a few injuries but a very good keeper. No wonder there is no atmosphere at PR given the negativity on here. No club has a divine right over any player and money talks. Mackail Smith went there and not west ham. Do you think their fans thought it was the end of the world? Interesting to see that other clubs fans now post on here. What goes around comes around. COYB.

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RetroBlue added 07:57 - Jun 20 The reactions on here to this "news" are exactly what Archant owned / run EAD want. They "announced" earlier this week that this Player was Town's primary target (was he ?)...only to be able to run a story today that Ipswich Town FC have failed in their attempts to gat their primary target. This is a Load of cobblars. It was peculated WEEKS ago in the national press that this players was going to join Brighton. So its a case of Archant once again running a "story" about nothing of substance, only to knock it down again and once again stick the kinfe into anything ITFC. And you lot "buy" it time after time. The so called "local" press here is Scum owned and Scum led.

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WorcesterBlue added 08:00 - Jun 20 Ah the joys of having one of the best fan sites - we even get Pompey and Seagulls fans coming on here! Let's face it - Brighton Eye has a point though. Not negative but realistic. When (and if) PJ and co show us through deeds that they have the vision and ability to begin the take the club forwards then potential signings like us fans will get on board and buy into that. It's actions that count not words, though if we just took the words we'd have plenty of reason for negativity. However, no one said we even wanted Kuszac and I am certain ME and PJ will not allow another set of genuine transfer targets skip through the net once again - neither can afford it.

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itfc1981 added 08:07 - Jun 20 I just hope for his sake Clegg has velcro shoes.
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TariccoTreat added 08:07 - Jun 20 Has any one of you moaning pickle fiddlers actually stopped and thought? Maybe. Just maybe Brighton offered him silly money. Or a longer contract. Or there were other reasons. Seriously you absolute flecks calm yourselves. If we offered the same terms and deal and clauses and he chose to go to Brighton it's one thing but you don't know do you so STFU.
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PimsNumber1 added 08:07 - Jun 20 guzan or amos would do nicely. but its frustrating our main targets are not coming here
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Surco72 added 08:31 - Jun 20 Was never our target his agent claimed we were desperate to sign him and our number one target to force hand of Brighton . Loach in before start of season ,with Murphy and Bramble
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SamWhiteUK added 08:35 - Jun 20 Did we even have talks with him, or did he just choose elsewhere? Not happy about this :-(
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ArnieMsBigToe added 08:41 - Jun 20 Brighton huh? Must be gay!!
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brian_a_mul added 09:03 - Jun 20 With interest from england and germany I'm sure Tomasz must be getting a huge wage + signing on fee from Brighton. I would prefer someone with more first team experience tbh. Better keepers around and less costly.
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BrightonEye added 09:07 - Jun 20 Oh, those gay jokes. Those Were the Days my friend. Speaking of which, isn't it time you all got yourselves a better looking message board? This one seems so narrow-format and limited - old-fashioned even. Even Crystal Palace's BBS is better than this, and shows what can be done! Apart from that, thanks for some decent responses. Always had a soft spot for Ipswich - hope you guys have a decent season this time round.

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MintyHalfWit added 09:37 - Jun 20 Rule: decent players do not want to come to ITFC. Exception that proves the rule: Cresswell.
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meekreech added 09:51 - Jun 20 Having lived near to Brighton I can see the attraction for a third rate ex man utd goalie , it is so much like Manchester with its dead , dirty streets and beggars ! If Man U did not want him and the club who had him on loan did not he cannot be that impressive !!! Glad to know he is not coming here !
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nitroblue1970 added 10:16 - Jun 20 It seems to me that Town appear to others, as a club in decline. The last five years would suggest this was true! Brighton are very much on the up, with a talented young manager and a few quid to spend and a brand new stadium....bit of a no brainer really isnt it? I dont expect any amazing signings, either a goalkeeper or Central Defenders..... I wouldnt be surprised to see ALB in goal come August...wouldnt worry me unduly actually as with a decent run and some confidence of NOT being a stand in he may flourish! ...on the other hand he may be a complete disaster....good fun following the mighty blues eh?

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rosseden added 10:19 - Jun 20 in reality we have no idea if we even tabled an offer for him, so, why all the drama..... we got beaten to Ward by Palace, ward wanted to live nearer mummy. We lost out. no big loss. I havent seen any official word we wanted this guy, none of us have any idea what offers he had, so just forget it and move on...... Some people really need to get a little perspective....... if we signed every player we are linked with we'd have a squad of about 70 by now. Good luck to Brighton, decent club to be fair, had some rough times and coming through them, im not sure Poyet will be there throughout this coming season, i have a sneaky suspicion who ever the first sacking of the EPL is, might swoop for him, hes about the last of the semi-proven younger managers and has the pedigree as a player.....

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Lukeybluey added 10:40 - Jun 20 Logan Bailly. Sign him up! quality keeper!
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AlanMahon2011 added 10:46 - Jun 20 No wonder he's gone to Brighton! I mean come one look at us.. We have a manager who has done no better than derby county. We have an owner who might as well not exist. We have a chief exet who is only involved in football for his olympic bid. We have a ground which overcharges fans (and people wonder why it's a library) And then there's Brighton
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BillBlue added 11:01 - Jun 20 LondonSeagull. yes, you are right. every village does have one and you, by your statements, which denote you as being as big an idiot as those people who floated the banner at the Amex, are obviously the one from Brighton. A lovely town, an oncoming team with a super Manager and there are people like you who fail to do it justice. A word of advice, don't believe all the media hype, did we really want a Manure reject who probably wont even make it into your first team. Think again. COYB

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