Brighton snap up experienced Schelotto

London (AFP) – Much-travelled defender Ezequiel Schelotto will provide the experience struggling Premier League newboys Brighton need said their manager Chris Hughton after he signed on Thursday from Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon.

The 28-year-old right-back — born in Argentina but a naturalised Italian who won one cap for the senior side — signed a three year contract for an undisclosed fee with ‘The Seagulls’ who become his ninth club.

“We are delighted that Ezequiel is joining us,” Hughton said in a statement.

“He has made nearly 190 appearances in the top flight in Italy and Portugal and has played in the Champions League, and is the type of experienced player we want to add to the squad.

“He can also play as a more attacking wing-back and so gives us some good options in defence.”

Schelotto — who has earned the nicknames ‘The Greyhound’ and the ‘Musketeer’ for his dashing forays forward — began his career with Cesena and in a second spell there helped them gain promotion to Serie A in the 2009/10 season.

Since then he has numbered among other clubs on his travels round Italy, Atalanta, Chievo, Catania and Inter Milan — he has been at Sporting since 2015 appearing 37 times for them.    

Eligible to play for the Italian national team, Schelotto made seven appearances for the under-21 side before winning his only senior cap against England in 2012.