A zoo has welcomed a “squad” of ten new penguins – and they have been named after Brighton and Hove Albion players.

The flightless birds have been welcomed to Drusillas Zoo Park, near Alfriston and keepers are “delighted” with how they are settling in.

Captain Lewis Dunk and goalkeeper Jason Steele get their very own penguin namesakes, and the zoo also wanted to celebrate Hailsham boy Solly March, who joined the Seagulls from Lewes in 2011.

The new penguin gang has been named De Zerbi, Steele, Webster, Enciso, Dunk, March, Gross, Mitoma, Veltman and Ferguson to honour some of Albion’s players of the season. 

The Argus: The penguins are named after Albion superstarsThe penguins are named after Albion superstars (Image: Drusillas Zoo Park)

 

Humboldt penguins hail from South America, which means Paraguayan Julio Enciso’s named penguin should feel right at home as he gets acquainted with the zoo’s existing birds Ollie, Slate, Gherkin, Chilli and Dill.

"So far, it’s been a great start to the summer season, with the new signings getting along famously with the home side," said the zoo's visitor services manager Carla Lee. 

"The penguins are happily kicking back on the penguin beach, and preening in the plunge pool."

Seven of the penguin pals from Woodside Zoo, Lincoln, and three from Twycross Zoo were “transferred” to “Team Drusillas”.

To welcome the new penguin "players" officially, Drusillas invited Brighton’s mascot, Gully, to the zoo to meet the team’s namesakes and fling them some fish.

The Argus: Gully, Albion's mascot, got to feed the new arrivalsGully, Albion's mascot, got to feed the new arrivals (Image: Drusillas Zoo Park)

Carla said: “Lots of the staff at Drusillas and many of our visitors are huge fans of Brighton and Hove Albion, so it’s brilliant to be able to celebrate the Seagulls' success in such a special way.”

“It’s always a bit of a nervous time when you’re introducing new animals to each other,” said senior keeper Jacinta Dawe.

“But we were very fortunate that due to careful planning by the whole team, we haven’t had a single problem.

"Very quickly they have formed a new flock of penguins, and we’re all very happy with how it’s gone.”

Each of the penguins also wears a special armband to identify them, so visitors can try and spot their favourite player’s namesake while they watch the penguins play.