'The world is a huge place': FFT gets the inside track on Brighton's scouting network

Brighton have brought in talent from around the globe in recent years – and they have a highly efficient scouting network to thank.

The likes of Kaoru Mitoma and Moises Caidedo have joined the Seagulls from relative obscurity in Japan and Ecuador respectively – and gone on to become major stars, with the latter generating a £100m transfer fee from Chelsea last month.

And, as Brighton technical director David Weir tells FourFourTwo, the club's success in that regard is no fluke – although they haven't got scouts dotted here, there and everywhere as you might expect...

"The world is a huge place; people think we've got a massive resource and people on the ground all over the planet," Weir explains, "but that's not necessarily the case.

"We have a small, efficient department and the club, in general, know what types of player we like: youngsters who can become what we want them to be.

"It's definitely a strength to have a way of working and a streamlining tool that enables you to fish in a smaller pond, but it [chairman Tony Bloom's secret recruitment algorithm] allows us to act early, get on the ground and get things moving quickly."

What's your CRAZIEST prediction for this season?

Brighton's highly successful approach to transfers and consistently rebuilding their squad has seen them go from strength to strength in recent years.

Under Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls achieved their highest ever finish of sixth in the Premier LEague last season – and they've started the new campaign in fine nick, too, winning three of their opening four games and scoring a league-high 12 goals so far.

Read more

'ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE' Brighton CEO insists there is no ceiling on the Seagulls' potential

QUIZ! Can you name these 20 stadiums?

IN THE MAG Newcastle United, the inside story! Gerard Pique and the Kings League - PLUS Brighton, Rakitic, Merson and more!