Albion have this afternoon announced former Leicester boss Peter Taylor as their new manager.

The announcement was made at a Press conference at Withdean this afternoon.

Taylor was on the shortlist of four to succeed Micky Adams and has been involved in lengthy talks with chairman Dick Knight over the past week.

We exclusively revealed last Thursday - the day after Adams' departure to Leicester as No.2 to Dave Bassett - that Taylor was the early frontrunner.

The former England caretaker and under-21 manager had also been offered the chance to return to his old club Southend.

Taylor will be a popular choice with Seagulls' supporters. He comfortably topped The Argus phone poll of five potential candidates, winning 47 per cent of the votes.

He steered Gillingham to promotion from the Second Division via the play-offs two seasons ago.

Taylor said today: "I am pleased to be getting back into management quickly and am absolutely delighted it's with Brighton, a club with great potential because of its tremendous following.

"I remember a cup game of theirs I saw at Canvey Island a few years ago when the club was at its lowest ebb and being amazed at the fantastic turnout of supporters that day.

"Fans like that deserve the success they have enjoyed recently and I hope to give them more in the future."

Club chairman Dick Knight said: "Peter Taylor's management experience at both Nationwide and higher levels of football makes him ideal for the Albion, a club poised to continue its climb up the league ladder.

"He quickly identified with the ambition and potential here at Brighton and I am very pleased he has chosen to join us."

Seagulls coach Martin Hinshelwood, who took over as caretaker boss with assistant Bob Booker when former boss Micky Adams ironically left for Filbert Street, said: "He's done well at this level before.

"It did not work out for him at Leicester and he'll obviously be pleased to get back into management so quickly.

"He's coming into a football club with a lot of quality players and hopefully we can enjoy a long and successful partnership.

"Success is about ifs and buts, but the players are all very focused and that's shown in their recent performances. We've got a great squad."

Taylor has been waiting to settle his compensation claim with Leicester, who sacked him at the end of last month.

The talk among Albion fans this morning was that former England captain and Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson had also emerged as a contender.