Champions League winner James Milner wants to use his experience in European competition to help his new Albion teammates as we embark on our debut campaign in the Europa League.
The 37-year-old will officially join us from Liverpool at the beginning of July, after an eight-year spell with the Reds that saw them reach the Champions League final three times, winning it in 2019, as well as the Europa League final in 2016.
James’s experience will no doubt prove vital to Roberto De Zerbi’s team, whose sixth-place finish in the Premier League confirmed a first season in Europe in the club’s history.
“It's amazing for the club to be playing in Europe,” Milner said. “It’s thoroughly deserved considering how well the team has played. It’s an attractive aspect of the move for me, you always want to play at the highest level.
“It’s exciting for me and playing in Europe is something I feel I can help the group with – I am fortunate enough to have played in the Champions League and Europa League many times, I want to add that value.
“The level this Brighton team play at, I think we’re going to see some good things this coming season and I can’t wait to be involved. I want to push as hard I can to help the team on and off the field.”
The former Manchester City and Aston Villa man says that being involved in European competition dramatically changes any team’s season.
“It's a lot different, you have such little time to prepare for each game, you’ve got late nights coming back from games in Europe. The logistical side of it is crazy.
“You have periods during the season where you’re not really training, you’re just recovering. You have to be ready to go and it’s a real squad effort, so everyone needs to be ready for that.”