Fleetwood defender Forbes joins Brighton.

It is understood Brighton have paid a five-figure sum for the 20-year-old full-back, who turned down a new deal at Highbury to make the step up from League One.

Forbes was a product of Preston North End’s youth system and moved to Town in 2014.

He made 33 league appearances in a two-year spell but has opted to join the Seagulls. He will go into their Under-21 side with a view to rising into first team contention.

Fleetwood’s technical director Gretar Steinsson wished Forbes well.

He said: “This deal is a prime example of the great work we are doing in developing players at Fleetwood Town.

“Tyler joined us as an 18-year-old, and after coming through our development squad has progressed into a first team player who has now joined a Championship club.

“Development of young talent is a key part of our growth as a club, as our recent large investment in a Category Three academy has shown.

“Sadly Tyler didn’t play as many games as we’d have liked last season due to the superb form of (right-back and Northern Ireland international) Conor McLaughlin, but we wish him well at Brighton.”

Brighton U21 coach Simon Rusk says he is looking forward to working with the youngster.

He said:: “Tyler is another great addition to our squad and we are delighted he has joined us.

“He is a tenacious, physical defender with good pace and likes to get forward, so he will give us some good options.

“He also has significant league experience, having played for the last two seasons in League One.

“We are looking forward to working with him and helping him to develop so that he can push on and challenge for a place in our first team.”