With the last week or so seeing plenty of speculation linking Brighton and Hove Albion with a move for Ecuadorian winger Billy Arce, the club have now confirmed his capture this week.
✍️ BREAKING: Albion have completed the signing of winger Billy Arce! 🇪🇨
The 20-year-old has signed a four-year deal, but will spend the upcoming 2018/19 campaign with @EXT_UD on a season-long loan deal.#BHAFC 🔵⚪️
Read ➡️ https://t.co/FzXgAWDmA7 pic.twitter.com/MijkcRReSL
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 7, 2018
The 20-year-old youngster heads into the club from CSD Independiente Del Valle for an undisclosed fee and he has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal at the Amex. He has however immediately signed loan terms with La Liga 2 side Extremadura UD and he will spend the entire 2018/19 campaign out with them before he joins the club properly next summer.
Arce made 22 appearances for his former club last season, scoring seven goals and the loan spell should give him a greater opportunity at first team football as he continues his development before adjusting to life with us.
He leaves his former club with a total of 56 appearances across all competitions in total, and a return of 19 goals.
I’ll let fans make their own jokes!
He's got so much quality! You'll love him.
Good luck in the premier league Brighton fans— Berryman (@Soldadodelidolo) August 7, 2018
One for Brighton, one for Hove Albion obviously
— Naz and your parents both (@BeardedBHAFC) August 7, 2018
Is he even on fifa ahahah
— owen (@owenbhafc_) August 7, 2018
If @NepitoBilly11 wants a tour guide, I'll gladly volunteer! #Extremadura is the most beautiful region with the most wonderful people. Buena suerte en España e Inglaterra Señor ????????⚽️⚽️
— Keith Benson (@hikingviking69) August 7, 2018
What an absolute……great player lol
— Ricardo Mongo (@Richardmongo200) August 7, 2018
Just need to buy a similar looking Spanish player called El Bow so people with a keen eye for faces can say “ You don’t know your Arce from your El Bow!!”
— Eddie Jelly (@headfullofjelly) August 7, 2018
Must admit I did like that last one!