Tim’s Brighton loan move now permanent

TIM Krul has left Newcastle United permanently after his loan deal with Brighton was converted into a permanent transfer.

The move now means that Krul could appear against the Magpies on Sunday, if Seagulls boss Chris Hughton selects him after previously being ineligible due to the terms of his loan agreement.

A statement from Brighton read: “We have converted goalkeeper Tim Krul’s loan from Newcastle United to a permanent one-year deal. The Dutch international initially arrived on a season-long loan last month, but has now signed a one-year contract.”

Krul (below) made his debut for Brighton in the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth this week, however, he may return to the bench for the clash against United with Matthew Ryan poised to return.

Speaking after Krul’s Brighton debut, former Toon boss Hughton said: “I felt he was very good and very assured. Some of the saves that he made weren’t very difficult, but he needed to show good hands.

“Overall, it was a very assured performance.”

Hughton said that Krul got the nod ahead of Brighton’s back-up keeper Niki Maenpaa.

He added: “Niki [Maenpaa] was very unfortunate to miss out.

“I had a tough decision to make and I went with Tim [Krul] because he was the one that needed the game.

“He played one game in pre-season behind closed doors, so he hadn’t had so much game time, which is why he got the nod ahead of Niki.

“It was a difficult one, but these are the decisions you have to make.”