BRIGHTON& Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has spoken highly of new Swindon Town recruit Steven Alzate following his move to the Energy Check County Ground on a season-long loan.

Alzate, 19, signed his first professional contract at Leyton Orient before moving south to join the Seagulls last summer.

The Camden-born forward appeared for Brighton’s U23s last season, and Town boss Phil Brown has confidence his latest signing can make an impact in Wiltshire.

Brown told Town’s official website: “I know Chris Hughton very well and he said it was a no-brainer to take the lad and to want to come here and ply his trade at Swindon Town is testament to him.

“He is an exciting prospect.

“He’s playing for a football club that brings the young players up the right way and they educate them very well.

“Hopefully it will be a positive experience for Steven.”

Alzate completed his first official training session with the Town squad on Monday before being revealed as Swindon’s second summer signing in the afternoon.

The versatile forward, who can also play act as an attacking midfielder, impressed Brown, who looks likely to drop the youngster into the midfield ranks.

And the Town boss will have his first chance to experiment with his squad in a competitive situation when Town make the short trip north to face Cirencester Town at the Corinium Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

Brown said: “I witnessed him today in training and he handles the ball with great ease, he’s very comfortable going past people and he’s a very intelligent footballer.

“He thinks about the game and I’m hoping he’s one or two steps ahead of League Two defenders. That should open up one or two opportunities for strikers.

“He’s an attacking midfield player but in the system I want to play he’ll fit perfectly into that midfield berth.”