Alexis Mac Allister: How I grew up in a football family

Instead he followed his uncle Patricio, also a professional footballer of some renown.

Which explains why Albion have an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal and the ability to create on their hands now rather than a left-back.

To say the 20-year-old who signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Seagulls yesterday, has a footballing background is an understatement.

He is the youngest of three brothers who all made it pro with Argentinos Juniors, the club whose youth set-up produced Diego Maradona.

Such is Argentinos’ reputation for nurturing talent, the club are known as El Semillero – The Seedbed.

So, when asked about his childhood, Alexis can’t help but smile.

He said: “My dad and uncle were footballers, my two brothers are footballers.

“I was in the professional squad with the two of them and that was an enormous pleasure.

“We had always dreamed of playing in the same team and one match, against San Lorenzo, we were able to do it.

“We loved it. We always listened a lot to my dad and my uncle, because they taught us a lot.

“As a kid, life was just football.

“During the week, I was more with my mum as a little boy.

“Then, at the weekend, my dad was there and I’d go with him and it was all football.

“My dad was a left-back. How did I end up as a No.10?

“I don’t know. But my uncle was more of a striker and he was good.

“Maybe I tried to copy him a bit.

“With my brothers, we have always played in the youth section together.

“They would come and watch every match and help us learn and progress in the best way.

“We would help each other.”

Mac Allister recognises Argentinos have not had the best of times.

But their status as second from bottom of the league did not stop Albion, notably head of recruitment Paul Winstanley, keep a close eye on a prospect also wanted by Boca Juniors.

Asked what impressed him about Albion, Mac Allister said: “The main reason was because they came to Argentina looking for me, they seemed very convinced about me.

“They made a big effort, they told me about their project and their ideas to keep growing in this league and I liked their ideas. I liked what they said.

“Obviously I’m very pleased to be here.

“The fact they came to Argentina and took so much time impressed me.

“We kept in contact with Paul and I was eventually able to come and sign everything.”

Dad saw the funny side of Alexis going ‘home’ to the British Isles (the family’s origins are thought to be in Fife).

Alexis said: “My brothers are very happy.

“At the start they were having a go at me a bit.

“Especially Kevin, who is the middle brother, because he is a big Argentinos fan.

“He was teasing me about leaving them but they are all really happy.

“I have a long contract but the club have this project to keep improving, “They are in the Premier League and I hope to fulfil my contract.

“I know a bit about Brighton.

“In Argentina, they show a lot of Premier League matches but usually the big teams.

“I try to watch them and now obviously I’ll make sure I can watch Brighton.”

Albion will watch him, he can be sure or that.

Playing for Argentinos will never be the same again.

Albion recruitment staff will keep close tabs on how Mac Allister is performing from a distance or in person at matches.

Mac Allister has scored three goals in 706 minutes of playing time so far in the current campaign.

Those goals have come for a team with just ten points from 15 matches.

He likes to shoot, averaging four goal attempts per game, the most of any player in the league.

No doubt many Albion fans will suddenly be taking an interest in a club who are broadly speaking on an upward curve since a change of president in 2015.

Mac Allister said: “It will be different.

“People in England will be watching “But I’m the sort of person who, when I go on to the pitch, all I try to do is enjoy it.

“I try not to think about anything else.

“I know I’ll now be player of another team but I’ll keep my head firmly in Argentinos and enjoy it.”