Jack Harper has completed a move to Brighton and Hove Albion, the club have confirmed.

Harper leaves Real Madrid after six years with the club, signing a two-year deal with Brighton and joining the club for an undisclosed fee, with there being two years remaining on his contract with the Spanish giants.

The player is currently suffering with a minor knee injury, but will join up with the Albion's first team squad when he is fit again, which could be in six to eight weeks.

Decision to join Brighton

Harper decided to end his spell with Real Madrid after the club decided to get rid of their 'C' team, which would have been the team the Scottish youth international would have made the step up to after spending the season with the club's under-19s.

The Guardian understands that the forward was offered a deal with Real Madrid Castilla, the club's 'B' team who play in the Spanish third tier, as well as the chance to go out on loan to a senior side this year, however Harper preferred a move to England with Brighton.

The Championship side's manager, Chris Hughton, flew out to watch Harper on numerous occasions last season, a campaign during which the player scored three goals in six appearances in the Under-19 UEFA Youth League, and he was able to convince the teenager to join Brighton over intereted Premier League outfits.

Hughton thrilled with signing

Speaking to Brighton's official website, Hughton said that "there is no doubting [the] pedigree" of his new signing, a player he believes "has a lot of potential." He described Harper as "a skilful type" of player with "a good eye for goal" and one who "can operate as a striker or playing just off of a striker."

Hughton mentioned the teenager's "excellent grounding," having come through Real Madrid' ranks, as well as featuring for Scotland's youth sides, and hopes that Brighton can now build upon that by giving him "the platform to realise his undoubted potential," as well as offering him the "next step" in his career, which is "to move up to senior football."

Speaking about the player's current injury, the manager said that Harper's "first priority is to complete his rehabilitation and work to get his match fitness," before then staking a claim for the club's first team.