A BASINGSTOKE player has made the jump from non-league to the Premier League, by signing for South Coast side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Brody Peart, 17, has climbed seven divisions in the football pyramid, joining the Seagulls after helping 'Stoke to win the treble.

Peart made his debut for Basingstoke Town FC aged 16, last January, and has since made 20 league appearances, netting eight goals in his time there - an average of one goal every 74 minutes.

He signed for Brighton last Friday, July 14, but the official announcement came today, Friday, July 21.

In a statement on Basingstoke Town FC's official website, manager Dan Brownlie said: "It’s hard to put into words just how proud we are of the kid. I remember Aaron [Nicholson] coming up to me a couple of years ago before a session saying ‘we’ve got one here’ – and my God, he was right.

"As a club, we’ve worked really hard with him to provide the best possible environment and opportunity that befitted his undoubted talent and seemingly endless potential. The love and respect Brody has for this club and the people within it is enormous.

"I’m not quite sure our fans will ever realise just how much he loved playing in our shirt. We’re so excited by his future and what he is yet to become."

'Stoke chairman, Jack Miller, said in a message on Twitter: "Once a ‘Stokie, always a ‘Stokie" he added that Peart was "Always destined for great things." and that Brighton and Hove Albion "have got a good’un!"

Peart has already linked up with the Seagull's under-21 side and is currently in Marbella, for the club's pre-season training camp.

On Twitter, Peart said: "I would like to thank everyone at Basingstoke for the support they have given me coming in from so young to leaving as a treble winner it just doesn’t happen in football very often.

"But I’m so grateful for everyone from the fans to the staff at Basingstoke."