Jason Steele is hoping for a fresh start at Brighton.

Steele has vowed to shrug off his Sunderland nightmare and show his mettle with Albion.

The Seagulls completed the capture of the former England under-21s goalkeeper from Sunderland on Thursday - for nothing.

They have signed him on a free transfer on a three-year deal, 12 months after he joined Sunderland from Blackburn for £500,000.

He said: "It was tough at Sunderland. The club is going through a tough period at the minute and I didn't play anywhere near as much as I wanted to.

"But you don't use it for experience - in terms of football experience - you use it as a life experience and how to deal with adversity.

"You have to become a better and stronger person and hopefully that will stand me in good stead."