Gifton Noel-Williams has no regrets about not making his temporary move to Albion permanent.

The big striker enjoyed a productive loan spell with the Seagulls at the end of the 2005-06 campaign, scoring twice in six games in Albion's unsuccessful fight against relegation from the Championship.

Mark McGhee, manager at the time, was keen for Noel-Williams to sign permanently last summer but the out-of-favour Burnley frontman was not ready to drop down to League One and eventually got his move away from Turf Moor when he headed to Spain in January.

And now Noel-Williams is looking forward to play at the Bernabeu and the Nou Camp rather than Withdean after helping Real Murcia to promotion to La Liga.

The 26-year-old, who also played for Watford and Stoke, quickly adapted to life on the continent and scored three times as Murcia went up from the Primera Liga.

Noel-Williams said: "One of my dreams was to play in Spain, especially La Liga, so this is a dream come true.

"I sometimes have to pinch myself to check that it's actually happening.

"When I came there were 18 or 19 games left and anything could have happened but the team has gone from strength to strength.

"I just can't wait for next season and I think for the first time in my life I'm actually looking forward to pre-season.

"I can't wait to train hard, get myself fit and hopefully get a place in the team and play against some of the big boys.

"I can't even find the words to describe it."

Noel-Williams, who was dubbed Baby Drogba' when he was unveiled, is too happy to "lose any sleep" over the fact he will not face USA-bound David Beckham next season.

He admits he has a swimming pool and while he maintains "It ain't a mansion" he is loving life both on and off the pitch.

He continued: "The culture is good. Everyone is quite laid back and I'm really laid back - people say I'm so laid back I might just drop down any minute.

"The language part is okay. When I first came it was a bit difficult but I've got a tutor now. It's going well and I can understand most things people say.

"The big difference on the pitch is pass appreciation. It's encouraged to pass, to play and when you've got the ball three or four men want the ball from you.

"When the wingers lose the ball they get back in their own time and it's not as up and down as it is in England."

Murcia coach Lucas Alcaraz predicted sore heads around the city after promotion was sealed and Noel-Williams admits the Real fans know how to party.

He added: "We've had the open-top bus and all that but these Spanish boys know how to celebrate. They've been singing for three days.

"They were singing the day before we were promoted, when we got promoted, the night after we got promoted and they're still going."