Gareth Fuller - PA Images / Getty Images

Brighton & Hove Albion’s long-serving captain Lewis Dunk has committed his future to the club for at least one more season after triggering a contract extension based on appearances.

The 34-year-old central defender secured a new deal with his 15th Premier League start of the campaign in the recent 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on December 13.

Dunk’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season but he is now tied to Brighton until June 2027. He signed a five-year deal in 2020, which was extended by a year in 2023.

The loss at Anfield came ten days after Dunk made his 500th appearance for Brighton in all competitions in a 4-3 defeat at home to Aston Villa.

“He’s my captain, he’s my skipper,” said head coach Fabian Hurzeler during his media briefing ahead of the visit to league leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

“We know his value. He proved that this season so far, although he had a tough start, he really fought himself back into the season. He has had some great performances and he’s the leader on and off the pitch.”

Dunk’s 282nd Premier League appearances since his debut at the level in 2017-18 puts the Brighton-born defender behind only Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in matches played for one club over the same period.

Dunk is likely to return to the starting line-up against Arsenal after he was suspended for the 0-0 home draw against Sunderland before Christmas.

He reached five bookings for the season against Liverpool, which resulted in a one-match ban.

Andy Naylor worked for 32.5 years on the sports desk of The Argus, Brighton’s daily newspaper. For the last 25 of those years he was chief sports reporter, primarily responsible for coverage of Brighton and Hove Albion FC. Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyNaylorBHAFC