Eerste Divisie side VVV-Venlo have taken Latvian international Vitalijs Maksimenko on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
- By David Lee Wheatley
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The 23-year-old has struggled to break into the Seagulls’ first-team, making just one appearance thus far and having to spend time out on loan with Yeovil Town and Kilmarnock in an effort to gain experience.
Maksimenko spent the weekend in Holland undergoing talks and a medical prior to officially signing up today with the Venlo club that lost their top-flight status in 2013.
Brighton boss and ex-Willem II defender Sami Hyppia said: “At this stage of his career it’s important for Vitalijs that he plays regular games and continues to learn as part of his development.
“He’s a good defender, a very good professional, and a player who works hard, trains well and wants to get better, but his options here this season are limited with the defenders we have at the club.
“At the moment he would be our fourth choice, but at his age he needs to play regular first-team football, which is also important for his international aspirations, and therefore we have agreed to let him go on loan to Venlo.”
Former Skonto Riga defender Maksimenko has been capped on nine occasions by his country.
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