Brighton loans chief David Weir has explained sending Leo Ostigard to Genoa.

The defender's spell with Stoke City was ended by Weir before he sent him to Italy.

Weir told Brighton's website: "We decided to change loan club for Leo as his playing time had been stop-start and everyone felt the best decision was to find another solution.

"Leo had a few options, but he felt that Genoa was a really good one with them being a top-flight side in Italy. It's been a difficult start for him because of where they are in the table, but Leo is a fighter and Genoa being in a relegation battle will play into his hands. It will be a great learning experience for him and he's already played against the likes of AC Milan and Fiorentina."