Albion boss Micky Adams has hailed the first signing of his second spell in charge as another Danny Cullip.
Cullip was a key figure in the side which prospered in the old Third and Second Divisions under Adams and the Seagulls' chief is hoping Coventry centre half Colin Hawkins will prove just as influential.
Irishman Hawkins, 30, joins Albion today on a two-year contract, with Adams declaring: "He is too good a free transfer to turn down.
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"I think there is a comparison with Danny. The obvious comparison with the pair of them is that they both consider themselves defenders first.
"There are no frills about them. Colin is very much like Danny in that he likes the art of defending, one against one with a centre forward.
"He is also a good character by all accounts, although I've not really worked with him. I have spoken to a lot of people at Coventry who were there when I left.
"Iain Dowie and Tim Flowers raved about him, so that was good enough for me. I would be delighted if he serves Brighton as well as Danny did."
Albion have seen off competition from the Championship and three Scottish Premier League clubs to land Hawkins, who will provide much-needed experience at the back following the release of Guy Butters at the end of the season.
Adams said: "We have got two natural centre halves in Tommy Elphick and Joel Lynch and, possibly, Adam El-Abd.
"Colin adds that bit of experience to three lads who haven't played an enormous amount of football." Hawkins began his career with Coventry 13 years ago as a trainee before returning to Ireland and winning the championship with St Patrick's in 1998 and 1999. He was also named the Irish player and young player of the year in 1998 and was a regular for the under-21s.
He came back to England with Doncaster in 2000, when Rovers were in the Conference. He spent two seasons at Belle Vue, then went back to Ireland to win two more championships with Bohemians in 2003 and Shelbourne in 2006.
Adams took him to Coventry in July 2006, six months prior to his departure from the troubled Sky Blues. Hawkins did not make an appearance under Adams but was very much part of Dowie's plans until an Achilles injury last season limited his involvement.
He ended the campaign on loan to Chesterfield and was released by Dowie's successor Chris Coleman. Hawkins recently passed a rigorous medical with Albion. They are confident the 6ft 1ins stopper from Galway has overcome his injury problems.
Cullip was a key figure in the side which prospered in the old Third and Second Divisions under Adams and the Seagulls' chief is hoping Coventry centre half Colin Hawkins will prove just as influential.
Irishman Hawkins, 30, joins Albion today on a two-year contract, with Adams declaring: "He is too good a free transfer to turn down.
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"I think there is a comparison with Danny. The obvious comparison with the pair of them is that they both consider themselves defenders first.
"There are no frills about them. Colin is very much like Danny in that he likes the art of defending, one against one with a centre forward.
"He is also a good character by all accounts, although I've not really worked with him. I have spoken to a lot of people at Coventry who were there when I left.
"Iain Dowie and Tim Flowers raved about him, so that was good enough for me. I would be delighted if he serves Brighton as well as Danny did."
Albion have seen off competition from the Championship and three Scottish Premier League clubs to land Hawkins, who will provide much-needed experience at the back following the release of Guy Butters at the end of the season.
Adams said: "We have got two natural centre halves in Tommy Elphick and Joel Lynch and, possibly, Adam El-Abd.
"Colin adds that bit of experience to three lads who haven't played an enormous amount of football." Hawkins began his career with Coventry 13 years ago as a trainee before returning to Ireland and winning the championship with St Patrick's in 1998 and 1999. He was also named the Irish player and young player of the year in 1998 and was a regular for the under-21s.
He came back to England with Doncaster in 2000, when Rovers were in the Conference. He spent two seasons at Belle Vue, then went back to Ireland to win two more championships with Bohemians in 2003 and Shelbourne in 2006.
Adams took him to Coventry in July 2006, six months prior to his departure from the troubled Sky Blues. Hawkins did not make an appearance under Adams but was very much part of Dowie's plans until an Achilles injury last season limited his involvement.
He ended the campaign on loan to Chesterfield and was released by Dowie's successor Chris Coleman. Hawkins recently passed a rigorous medical with Albion. They are confident the 6ft 1ins stopper from Galway has overcome his injury problems.
