CHERRIES striker Glenn Murray has completed a deadline-day move to Brighton for a fee in the region of £3million.

Murray’s loan with the Seagulls has been converted into a permanent move with the frontman penning a two-and-a-half year deal.

He joined the Championship frontrunners on a season-long arrangement in the summer and has proved a big hit on his return to the Amex.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton said: “Glenn has made a big contribution in the first-half of the season, not only in terms of his goals, but as a senior member of the squad.

“He has done exactly what we had hoped he would do when we took him on loan from Bournemouth in the summer and has been a crucial part of our team and squad so far this season.

“I am delighted that he wants to commit his long-term future to the club.”

Murray, who hit 56 goals in his first spell with Albion, helping them to the League One title before joining Crystal Palace in 2011, has scored 15 goals in 26 Championship appearances this season.

The 33-year-old penned a three-year deal with Cherries when they paid £4m to take him from Crystal Palace in September 2015.

Murray, however, was restricted to just six Premier League starts and 13 appearances from the bench during his season at Vitality Stadium.

He bagged three top-flight goals, most memorably netting the decisive strike when Cherries defeated then defending champions Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in December 2015.

Meanwhile, Cherries midfielder Sam Matthews has joined National League Eastleigh on loan for the remainder of the season.

Matthews has already had experience in the National League this term, playing 13 games and scoring one goal during a three-month spell with the Spitfires' divisional rivals Braintree Town.

He signed professional forms for the Cherries in 2014 after making first-team appearances against Real Madrid and West Ham.

Elsewhere, under-21s player Jake McCarthy has joined National League Maidstone United on loan until the end of the season.

McCarthy, who joined Cherries' academy at the age of 12, is equally at home playing as a centre-back or a holding midfielder.

He signed a two-year professional deal last year.