The 2017/18 Eredivisie top goalscorer highlighted the positive feeling he received when considering a move to the Seagulls.

The winger, who scored 21 goals and claimed 12 assists last season, had so many option on the table but finally decided to join Brighton on a £17 million contract , making him the most expensive Iranian player of all time.

“I thank God for moving in right direction after two years in NEC. Three years ago I wanted to join Brighton & Hove Albion but it wasn’t the right moment for me to move to England. I went there and understood they have the big goals and good facilities but I opted to stay in the Netherlands. It wasn’t the right moment for me to play in England. I needed to stay in the Netherlands because I thought, as a 21-year-old player, I can improve more in the country and moved to AZ,” Jahanbakhsh said in an exclusive interview with the Tasnim News Agency.

“I played three seasons in AZ Alkmaar. In the first season, I had problems in the big team but in the second season I started to perform better and I never forget my third season in AZ. I helped AZ and they helped me get to this point. AZ helped me a lot in my way to professional football and helped me become a better person as well. AZ had a huge impact on my football. I always try move quickly to take that first step, then progress slowly and constantly,” he added.

“I opted to join Brighton & Hove Albion after asking people that I trust, and most of them were really positive about joining them. I spoke a lot with my agent, my parents, our coach Carlos Queiroz and my idol Mehdi Mahdavikia. I had told Brighton’s officials three years ago it was a great feeling to play there. I had told them as a joke they would win promotion to the Premier League and I would return here as a better player,” Jahanbakhsh said.

“I was also linked with a move to Leicester City. They had a better financial situation but I preferred to join Brighton. I joined Brighton to help them and be important for the team. It’s always been important for me to do my best for the club and the fans. It’s exactly the same here. Finally everything is done and I am a member of them. I have a really good feeling about their tactics and the way the team play,” he stated.

“One of my reasons I opted to join Brighton was our coach Chris Hughton. He was following my performance in AZ. Also, they respect me as an Iranian player and respect our culture. All of these helped me make a better decision. I am very happy since our first match in the new season has coincided with my birthday. However, I know that I have recently joined Brighton and I am in no hurry to play,” Jahanbakhsh conclude.

Interview by Alireza Muharami