Manchester United host Brighton in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night
Tomasz Kuszczak.
Tomasz Kuszczak was more successful at United - but he saw "the future" at Brighton(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Tomasz Kuszczak claimed Brighton were the "future of football" after joining them from Manchester United.
The two sides will clash in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night at Old Trafford. Kuszczak will watch on after spending a combined seven years at both Premier League club.
The goalkeeper rose to fame at West Bromwich, earning interest from United after an impressive performance in the second-to-last game of the 2004/05 season. He came on for the injured Russell Hoult, helping the Baggies earn a 1-1 draw and ultimately avoid relegation in what was famously dubbed the 'Great Escape.'
In 2006, Kuszczak joined the Reds for around £2million and kept 26 clean sheets in 61 games. He won four Premier League titles, along with a host of domestic cups and the Champions League.
After a season-long loan to Watford in 2012, Kuszczak would go on to join Brighton after the Seagulls registered an interest alongside Ipswich Town. Speaking at the time of his transfer, the Poland international opened up about his decision to head to East Sussex as he believed the then-Championship side were on the verge of something great.
Kuszczak said: "I have played Premier League football for eight years, with West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, and I believe the structure is in place here to join them.
"The manager and coaching staff, the team, stadium, crowds, through to the plans for the new training ground, everything is geared up for playing at the highest level and I could sense that ambition to be a top club straight away.
"Also when I played against Brighton last season, while on loan at Watford, I was very impressed with the way the team played - it was totally different to the rest of the Championship and more like what I was used to at Manchester United.
Tomasz Kuszczak of Brighton & Hove Albion in action during the npower Championship match between Bristol City and Brighton & Hove Albion at Ashton Gate on March 5, 2013 in Bristol, England.
Kuszczak saw something special happening with the Seagulls(Image: Harry Engels/Getty Images)
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"This team likes to pass the ball, they like to create, they are attractive to watch. The way Brighton play is the future of football. I had other clubs who wanted to sign me but my heart told me that this was the right choice."
Highlighting his ambitions with the Seagulls, Kuszczak added: "I found the division to be a close one - there’s not a great deal between many of the teams. I’m sure it will be another tough season with plenty of clubs hoping for promotion.
"The Premier League is where I want to be again and I believe I can get there with Brighton. This club is heading in only one direction, and I want to play my part in helping us get there."
Despite spending just two years at Brighton, Kuszczak clearly sensed something special. The Seagulls were promoted to the Premier League at the end of the 2016/17 season and have been in the top-flight since.
The former goalkeeper left three years before this triumph and had stints at Wolves and Birmingham City before retiring in 2019. He was most recently the goalkeeping coach for the Poland national team, for whom he earned 11 caps before ending his playing career.