Matthew Ryan has revealed he helped Brighton in their pursuit of Martin Montoya.

The Spanish right-back joined from Valencia this summer. Ryan played with the 27-year-old while he was with Los Che.

Ryan revealed: "The club try to get as much information as they can about a potential signing.

"They asked me what I thought about him. It was all positive things. I think he'll be a great addition to the squad.

"I contacted him and let him know the direction the club is going in, told him about what the club offers and that it is a great club on the rise.

"I guess he obviously liked what he heard. I tried to give him any inside information I could."

On what Montoya brings to the squad, Ryan added: "First of all there is his professionalism. Like every footballer, he has sacrificed a lot and been dedicated to reach the top.

"On top of that, you can expect a very dynamic-type full-back, loves to get forward, very composed on the ball.

"He also has great skill and a great first touch to keep the ball at his feet, composed in pressure situations to play himself around the opposition.

"At the same time he is very athletic and strong for his size. You might look at his statistics (just under 5ft 9ins) and see he is not the tallest guy in the world but he has a very strong base, very muscular.

"There's no doubt he is strengthening our squad and I think he will be getting a lot of game time."