Gaetan Bong played an integral role in helping the Seagulls preserve their top-flight status during the 2017/18 campaign, making 28 appearances across all competitions and keeping six clean sheets in the process.
The first of those shutouts came at the London Stadium at the end of October, where the side ran out 3-0 winners over West Ham United in the club’s first ever Premier League away win.
The second soon followed as the Seagulls followed up the superb display in the capital with a 1-0 win over Swansea City on the road – sealing back-to-back top flight wins in the process.
Successive 0-0 draws with Burnley and Newcastle United followed at the end of 2017, and Bong was also in the side for the games against the Clarets and the historic win over Manchester United at the Amex Stadium that secured Premier League survival.
The Cameroonian forged a strong partnership with summer arrival Jose Izquierdo down Albion’s left flank, whilst also providing strong competition for fellow new arrival Markus Suttner in the left-back position.
Bong played over 2,000 minutes of top flight football during his debut season in the division, making 25 appearances in the process – the same as club captain Bruno on the opposite side of the Seagulls defence.
His performances in the side were rewarded with a new contract at the end of February, which keeps him on the south coast until at least the summer of 2019.