Defender Lewis Dunk has signed a new five-year deal with Sky Bet Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Dunk linked with a move elsewhere 

The 23-year-old has been subject to recent interest from Premier League outfit Newcastle United and fellow Championship side Fulham, and had rumoured to have been fined for refusing to play against Southend United in the Capital One Cup.

However, his new deal will see him stay at the Amex Stadium until 2020 and he has spoken of his admiration saying he was “absolutely delighted” to commit his long-term future to the club.

Dunk was aware there was “a lot” of speculation but he had “little desire” to go anywhere else. He came through the academy at the south coast club and has gone on to amass 110 appearances so far since his debut in 2010.

Dunk added that the “manager and club” made it clear to him that he was an “important” part of the club’s future and that sheer desire to keep him at side made it an “easy decision” to remain at the club.

The defender admitted that the media attention affected his game as it was something “new” and a thing he wasn’t really used to having to deal with. However he is “pleased” to put the media circus behind him and “concentrate” on his football once again.

His focus is to help the club continue their “excellent” start to the campaign with the long-term target to help them reach the Premier League.

Brighton's excellent start 

Dunk’s has been an integral part in Brighton’s superb start to the season as they currently sit second in the Championship on 10 points, just behind Ipswich Town on goal difference. They remain unbeaten with wins over Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Blackburn - only dropping points against Huddersfield.

Brighton will look continue their excellent form and possibly go top of the table when they take on Ipswich this weekend.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.