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Goalkeeper Tim Krul joins Brighton on a permanent deal

By James Reeve

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Tim Krul of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion at Vitality Stadium on September 19, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Tim Krul of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion at Vitality Stadium on September 19, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has officially ended his 12-year association with the club, joining Brighton & Hove Albion on a one-year deal.

Krul, 29, initially joined the Premier League new boys on a season-long loan deal but has converted that agreement into a permanent, one-year contract.

The permanent deal will now allow the Dutch international to face his former club when the Magpies travel to the American Express Community Stadium this Saturday.

The former Newcastle number one made 185 total appearances for the Magpies but found himself pushed further down the pecking order after the side were relegated and the 6-foot-4 keeper suffered an injury that kept him out for many weeks.

He was sent out on-loan last season to Dutch giants Ajax but only featured in six reserve team matches before being recalled and resent on-loan to AZ Alkmaar, also of the Eredivisie.

Krul, capped eight times for his native Netherlands, made 16 appearances in his homeland before returning to England in hopes of regaining his place with the team.

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But his hopes were dashed when Rafa Benitez told him he was no longer in his plans and that he would need to find a new club if he wished to play first-team football again.

He joined former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton at Brighton on a season-long loan on the last day of the transfer window but has made just one solitary League Cup appearance, a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, so far.

Despite playing second fiddle to Australian international Mathew Ryan, who has cemented himself as the team’s first choice keeper, Krul appeared content enough to agree to join the club on a permanent transfer and will try to push his way into the starting line-up as often as possible this season.

Brighton have started life in the Premier League as well as could be expected, with four points in five matches so far – seeing the club sitting in 16th place.

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Tim Krul could conceivably find himself playing more for the Seagulls this season if they find themselves slipping towards the relegation zone across the campaign, and he will need to take those opportunities with both hands if he hopes to be a Premier League number one again.

But, if Ryan puts in positive performances, Tim Krul may find himself looking for a regular starting position in a different league next season.

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