Brighton and Hove Albion have sold striker Andi Zeqiri to Belgian side Genk.
The Swiss international has joined Genk in a permanent deal for ‘undisclosed terms’. He has signed a three-year-deal, with an option for it to be extended by another year should the club wish to do so.
Speaking on the club website, Brighton’s technical director David Weir said: “Andi progressed well last season with Basel and he is now ready to play regularly somewhere on a permanent basis.
“This is a great opportunity for Andi and we wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Andi Zeqiri finally departs
Zeqiri joined Brighton in October 2020 from Lausanne in his homeland of Switzerland for an undisclosed fee and has played for Switzerland from U15 level all the way up to the senior team.
He only went on to play nine games for the club in his debut season, before being loaned out in 21/22 to Augsburg.
In an unsuccessful loan spell where he scored two goals in 22 appearances in Germany, he then returned to Switzerland last season where he joined Basel.
Zeqiri needed this loan spell for his career and he ended the Swiss Super League season with eleven goals in 30 games, which led to interest in his services by multiple teams.
He had gained a lot of interest from the Championship, with the likes of Southampton and Leicester said to have enquired to see if he was available. French Ligue 1 side Lille were said to be leading the race, but he has opted for Belgium instead.