Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo says his spell in Belgium was good for him last season.

The 20-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder spent the first half of the season with Beerschot before returning to Albion in January. He made his Premier League debut in the 2-1 win over Arsenal in April and remained in the side for the remainder of the season, scoring his first goal in the 4-0 victory against Manchester United last month.

Beerschot had a troubled season and ended up being relegated but Caicedo, who played 12 games, said the experience of playing regular first-team football was important for his development.

“The truth is I feel it helped me to go there and gain experience," he said. “I knew there were a lot of players here at Brighton who were playing so it would be very difficult to play. I was training well but I thought it was perhaps better to go and get more minutes, so I think going there helped me a lot.

“I got a lot of rhythm, which also helped me with the national team. If I had stayed here, there was very little probability that I would play because there are lot of good players here."

Ecuador team-mate Jeremy Sarmiento has also been instrumental in helping Moises settle into life in Sussex.

“I understand English but not really well, so he helps me with translation when I don't understand. That's very good for me because I can catch understand things on and off the pitch. I feel very good in these last few months because I am playing, I'm helping the team, I'm bringing something and I'm very happy with how the season is ending."