Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke has signed a new contract with Albion.

The-23-year-old made 13 appearances for the Seagulls last season including eight in the Premier League.

Van Hecke joined the club in 2020, going onto make his Premier League debut in a 1-0 win over Leeds in August 2022.

The centre-back struggled for consistent game time over the season but capped it off with an incredible performance against the league's leading goalscorer Erling Haaland in a 1-1 draw against Man City.

He joins countryman Joel Veltman and skipper Lewis Dunk in extending their stays with Albion.

The contract length is undisclosed.

Men’s first-team head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: “I’m really pleased for JP, and to see an extension of a contract of another important player.  

“Last year he showed all his quality and his potential. He was very important in us achieving our goal.“

Van Hecke signed for Albion from NAC Breda, before spending the 2020/21 season on loan in the Netherlands with Heerenveen.

That was followed up by a campaign on loan with Championship Blackburn, where he would go onto become Rovers’ first ever loan player to win their Player of the Season award.

The Argus: Van Hecke celebrates for Blackburn in his loan spellVan Hecke celebrates for Blackburn in his loan spell

He has represented the Netherlands under-21 eight times.

Speaking about his season to The Argus in June, Van Hecke said: “I had to deal with ups and downs but I think I learnt a lot.

“From going on loan and staying at the club, a lot of things happened.

“I learnt a lot about the way of playing.

“I have not played as many games as I wanted to.

“But it is ups and downs because I am happy I have played a few games from the start.

“On the other side, you always want to play.

“But I think this season I have learnt a lot.”