BRIGHTON are close to completing a deal for Sunderland goalkeeper Jason Steele.

Steele has been given permission to discuss a move away from the Stadium of Light, and Brighton are hoping to agree personal terms shortly.

The Premier League club are looking to sign two goalkeepers to provide cover for their established number one, Mathew Ryan, this summer, having released both Tim Krul and Niki Maenpaa since the end of last season.

Steele joined Sunderland from Blackburn Rovers last summer, signing a four-year deal, but endured a difficult time as the Black Cats dropped out of the Championship.

A number of early-season errors saw him lose his place to Robbin Ruiter, and while he returned to the starting line-up in the autumn, he lost his place again when Lee Camp joined Sunderland on loan.

He returned to the starting line-up for the final three games of the season, but as one of the highest-paid players on the books, his departure would help ease some of the financial pressure that exists in the wake of Sunderland's drop into League One.