Blue Square South club Lewes have said they will not stand in the way of defender Grant Hall if Brighton want to sign him.
The highly-rated 17-year-old has already played once for the Seagulls’ youth team and may be asked to turn out for them again this weekend.
Hall made his debut for Lewes in Blue Square Premier last season and was man-of-the-match away to Bath City last Saturday.
Boss Steve Ibbitson said: “We have some good young players at the club but Grant has developed so much over the last year and was totally outstanding at Bath.
“This club develops youngsters for the club’s benefit and for their own benefit.
“If any of them can graduate to pro football we will try to help them.”
Meanwhile, Ibbitson has signed former Brentford player Ryan Hirooka.
Hirooka started out with Eatbourne Borough and made his first-team debut in final fixture of 2006/07 against Braintree Town after an excellent season with the under-18’s.
He left Boro for Brentford in August 2007 following successful trial and has since played for Bognor Regis Town.
