The last five years have contained polar opposites in terms of their finishing positions for Brighton & Hove Albion, including a third place finish as well as a 20th place finish.

At this time five years ago, they had just started their first season back in the second tier after winning Sky Bet League One, and eventually finished a very respectable tenth place. They followed that up with fourth, sixth, 20th and third place finishes in that order, meaning they made it into the play-offs in three of the last four years.

They currently sit in seventh place, after two defeats in their last three derailed what was a fairly decent start, with 3-0 wins over Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United being backed up by becoming the first team this season to beat leaders Huddersfield Town.

Five years ago, it was Gus Poyet who was leading them into battle, and Oscar Garcia and Sami Hyypia have also had spells in the Amex hot seat, before Chris Hughton took over in December 2014.

A special note should be made to Steve Sidwell, Oliver Norwood and Shane Duffy who are all, in my opinion, fantastic signings that will be great for the club in years to come but, after only joining this summer just gone, I am not considering them for selection in this article.

Here, FootballLeagueWorld writer Ryan Evans identifies the THREE best Brighton signings from the last five years…

3) David Stockdale

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This third spot was a difficult decision for me to make.

Leonardo Ulloa, who scored 26 in 58 games during his 18 months at the club, and Anthony Knockaert, who has gone on to score nine in 28, including four this season already, came close, but I’ve decided to go with goalkeeper David Stockdale.

The Englishman joined Brighton in July 2014, and has proved to be an inspired signing by then-manager Sami Hyypia.

He has gone on to play 104 times for the club, and has conceded just 100 goals. When you break down his efforts season by season, it proves just how much of a benefit Stockdale has been.

He kept 12 clean sheets and conceded just 50 goals in 42 games during the 2014/15 season, when his side finished 20th, and then kept 17 clean sheets last season, letting in just 45 goals in 48 games.

That sort of consistency is a great benefit to any team, and was a major force behind the club going close to promotion last time around.

Should he keep up that form for this term, then Brighton could go that close again.

2) Beram Kayal

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The Israeli international signed at the Amex in January 2015 from Celtic, and went on to net once from 18 games for the remainder of that season.

However, it’s his efforts in the last campaign which have really turned him into a fans’ favourite on the South Coast.

Two goals and seven assists for the 28-year old in 45 games, but it was his performances anchoring the midfield alongside Dale Stephens that stood out to many Brighton fans and neutrals alike.

1) Bruno

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Bruno signed on a free from Valencia back in June 2012, and has since gone on to become the club’s captain.

He can play at either centre-back and right-back, and the experience that the Spaniard brings to the club is invaluable. He didn’t miss a single league game last season, and has a total of 156 appearances for the Seagulls.

The 35-year-old may be approaching the end of his career, but still looks as assured as ever and is a crucial member of a solid back line for Hughton.

He still has much to give this club, and is definitely one of the best defenders in the league.

How good the current Brighton squad is can be supported by the fact that all three of my choices for their best signings in the last five years are still at the club, and they should be able to push on now to challenge for the title again.

Brighton fans... do you agree? Are these your best signings from the last five years? What others would you add to this list? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!