Striker Adrian Colunga has spoken of his confusion about his departure from Brighton & Hove Albion this week, reports the Argus. 

Colunga had his contract terminated by mutual consent earlier this week having failed to make an appearance this season for the Championship side, but the Spanish striker was still convinced that he had the ability to play at the top end of the second tier.

The 30-year-old scored four goals in 21 appearances for Brighton last season, before ending the campaign back in Spain on loan at La Liga side Granada, but found first-team chances much harder to come by back on the South Coast following Chris Hughton's appointment.

Colunga is free to find a new club, although he will have to wait until the January transfer window opens to sign and thus play for a different team.

Colunga, who has blamed "misunderstandings" for his exit, told The Argus: 'The biggest loser in all this was me. I’ve now got to wait until January before I can join a club.

'I’m not happy with how things worked out. I wish the club and my agents had done this better. Chris Hughton always said I was a good player and trained well so anybody would ask why I didn’t play.'

Seagulls boss Hughton admitted that Colunga had the talent to succeed, but explained the system he wants to play at Brighton doesn't suit the striker, saying: 'Adrian was somebody that worked hard in training and was a very good professional and is a player with talent.

'In the system that I played I think it was hard for him to get into my plans. That’s never a reaction on the player. A player can be elsewhere and do well, it’s just a case of being the right fit.'

Reassurances from his former manager are unlikely to be of any consolation to Colunga however, who is having to find himself a club for the first time in his career, having been involved in big money moves prior to his Brighton switch.

He said: 'I will re-invent myself as a player. I have to make a decision regarding my future. Ideally I would like to find a new club and start training straight away before signing for them in January.

'I will go back to Spain unless something else turns up. Where would I like to play? For a club who want to sign me and who have confidence in me.'

The Argus reports that there was interest in the 30-year-old during the summer from two un-named Spanish clubs, but it remains to be seen as to whether they go in again for him in Janaury.

Colunga's difficulty in breaking into the first team at Brighton is unsurprising given the club have made a superb start to the season.

Brighton are currently first in the Championship and are yet to taste defeat. The Seagulls will be hoping to continue that run when they travel to Leeds United after the international break.

Brighton fans... what do you make of the news? Was Colunga hard done by at the Amex? Or was he just not good enough for the first team? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!