---
title: "Brighton & Hove Albion: Joel Veltman joins from Ajax in cut-price £900,000 deal"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-sign-joel-veltman-transfer-potter-duffy/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Brighton & Hove Albion"
published: "2020-07-30T11:30:00Z"
modified: "2020-07-30T11:30:00Z"
---

# Brighton & Hove Albion: Joel Veltman joins from Ajax in cut-price £900,000 deal

**Brighton have completed the signing of Netherlands defender Joel Veltman from Ajax, as [confirmed on their official website](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/1745401/albion-make-dutch-international-their-second-summer-signing) on Wednesday.**

According to [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/07/29/brighton-sign-holland-star-joel-veltman-ajax-surprise-900000/), the 28-year-old arrives at the Amex Stadium for a cut-price fee of just £900,000, becoming the Seagulls’ third signing in recent days after they also completed moves for Adam Lallana and Jensen Weir.

Given that he has a [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/profil/spieler/111195) valuation of £7.2m, it comes as quite a surprise – and indeed a real coup – that Graham Potter has landed him for a six-figure sum.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Veltman, who has [22 caps for Netherlands](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/nationalmannschaft/spieler/111195/verein_id/3379), had previously been with Ajax for the entirety of his career, [graduating from their youth ranks](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/transfers/spieler/111195) to make [246 senior appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/111195/verein/610) and playing in several matches of their [run to the Champions League semi-finals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/111195/plus/0/saison/2019/wettbewerb/CL/verein/610) last year.

[Predominantly a centre-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/111195), the 28-year-old can also play on the [right-hand side of defence](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/111195), with most of his appearances in the 2019/20 season coming in a central position.

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Given that he has ample experience with an Ajax team who are [no strangers to success](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-veltman/erfolge/spieler/111195), it seems doubtful that Veltman has come to the Amex to be a bit-part player, which could have a knock-on effect for the centre-backs already at Brighton.

Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster were Potter’s [preferred central defensive pairing](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/leistungsdaten/verein/1237) for most of the season just finished. The Seagulls could also have Ben White to add to the mix, with their [£35m price tag on the in-demand 22-year-old](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-liverpool-want-to-sign-pl-ace-electrifying-their-scouts-35m-may-seal-deal/) a clear indicator that Brighton do not intend to let him go without a strong fight.

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The man who could be most fearful for his future following Veltman’s arrival is [Shane Duffy](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/brighton/profit-players-shane-duffy-brighton-signing-bargain-4m/). The Irishman was a near-constant presence under Chris Hughton, starting every league match under the ex-Seagulls manager for which he was available (via [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-duffy/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/119269/plus/0/verein/1237/trainer_id/2654)).

However, Webster’s [arrival at the club](https://web.archive.org/web/20190803112045/https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2019/august/deal-done-for-webster/) last year meant that the 28-year-old Derry native lost his place as a Brighton regular, starting just [12 league games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-duffy/leistungsdaten/spieler/119269) this season under Potter.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Perhaps Veltman has been purchased with the intention of him being a right-back mentor and competitor for young Tariq Lamptey.

However, if Potter plans to utilise him at centre-back, the abundance of players in this position could leave Duffy worrying about his game-time at the Amex, particularly if White is kept at the club for the forthcoming season.

***Brighton fans, do you think Duffy could become a peripheral player next season now that Veltman has signed? Comment below with your views!***