Sami Hyypia believes Paddy McCourt is capable of adding a more creative outlet to the Brighton & Hove Albion line-up.
The 30-year-old became a free agent earlier this summer after leaving Barnsley, for whom he made 23 league appearances for last season. After training with the Seagulls for the past week, Hyypia decided the Northern Ireland international could add something to his side and personal terms were agreed on Tuesday.
“We have seen enough of Paddy in the last week or so to know that he is a player who has quality going forward,” said the former Liverpool defender. “He is the type of player who can pick a pass and create a chance. Paddy is a player who sees the right passes, at the right time, and I hope he can help us in terms of creativity going forward.”
McCourt began his career in Lancashire where he spent four years with Rochdale, before moving to Shamrock Rovers in 2005. After that brief spell he returned to his roots with Derry City, before he was snapped up by Glasgow giants Celtic where he won two league titles during a five-year stint which was followed by a move to Oakwell.
The forward, who has 14 international caps, was an unused substitute as Brighton collected their first points of the season with a 2-0 win at Leeds United on Tuesday evening, courtesy of goals from Joao Teixeira and Kazenga LuaLua. He could debut when Bolton Wanderers visit the Falmer Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
