Chairman's tribute to departing star

Head coach Graham Potter also acknowledged Kayal’s professionalism and thanked the Israel international midfielder for his services to the club.

Kayal was a key member of the squad which secured promotion to the Premier League in 2017, having been former manager Chris Hughton’s first signing shortly after he joined the club, arriving from Celtic in January 2015.

Bloom said, “Beram has been a terrific player for the club, helping us secure our Championship status in his first few months here, and then becoming part of the squad that came so close in 2016, before eventually clinching promotion in 2017.

“His style of player and energetic approach always made him a popular player with supporters, not least in our near-miss season, when he was a deserved winner of the club’s Player of the Season Award. He also made important contributions to the team  in our first two seasons in the Premier League.

“On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Beram for some great memories and wish him all the very best for the future. I am sure we will welcome him as our guest at the Amex in the future, allowing our supporters to be able to say a proper farewell.”

The midfielder went to play 131 times for Albion and made his Premier League debut in December 2017 against Tottenham Hotspur.

This season he joined Championship club Charlton on loan but returned to Albion in January after having surgery on a groin injury.

Head coach Potter echoed Bloom’s comments, “The last few months have been tough for Beram because of injury, and I appreciate his first-team opportunities have been limited, but his professionalism and attitude during my time here has been first class.

“I know he was an important player for the club, and that he will always be highly regarded by Albion fans for the part he played in getting the team promoted to and then established in the Premier League. On behalf of everyone here, I would like to wish him every success in the future.”