Verbruggen started last season playing for Anderlecht's reserve side but ended the campaign as their number one.

He was named the Belgian club's 2022-23 player of the season and received his first call-up to the senior Netherlands squad in March this year.

Verburggen becomes Brighton's fourth major signing of the summer, following Brazil forward Joao Pedro from Watford, Liverpool's James Milner, and Germany midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Dortmund.

The Seagulls have lost Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool, while Ecuador defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo has been strongly linked with a move away from Amex Stadium.

Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: "I am very pleased to have signed Bart. He is used to playing a type of football similar to ours and he will have no problem fitting into our group.

"He has the potential to become a very important player for the club in the coming years."

Verbruggen, who featured for Netherlands at the U21 Euros in Romania and Georgia, broke through into the first team at Anderlecht in December, going on to make 17 appearances in the Belgian Pro League.

The 6ft 4ins keeper started his career at NAC Breda in the Netherlands before completing a 300,000 euros (£257,000) move to Anderlecht in 2020.

He helped them to an 11th-placed finish in the league and the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they lost on penalties to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

Analysis

Johnny Cantor, BBC Radio Sussex

Verbruggen certainly looks to be an exciting addition for Brighton. Like so many signings, he is one for the future, but he could feature next season as understudy to or competition for Jason Steele.

The 22-year-old heads to Amex Stadium after an impressive European Championship with Netherlands Under-21s, but Albion have been admirers for some time.

His ability with the ball at his feet is one of the key assets that means he should fit in well with how head coach De Zerbi wants to play.

However, his arrival does increase the uncertainty around the future of Robert Sanchez, who lost his place to Steele during last season.

Clubs have been monitoring the Spaniard's situation and the signing of Verbruggen raises the possibility that he has played his last game for the Albion.