Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that they have accepted the resignation of manager Sami Hyypia.

The Seagulls are currently in the relegation zone in the Championship table after winning just one of their last 18 games.

Hyypia joined the club in the summer following a two-year spell with Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Liverpool captain insisted earlier this month that he would not quit Brighton, but his time at the club has now come to an end.

"Sami has worked extremely hard since joining the club last summer. Despite some good performances, including most recently at Wolves, results haven't gone as well as we all had hoped and expected," read a statement from chairman Tony Bloom.

"Sami is an incredibly honourable man. He remains a hugely respected and very popular figure at our club. He has decided to step down for the benefit of the team and the club. We are all very disappointed, but we respect Sami's decision and we all wish him well for the future."

Brighton continue their league campaign on Boxing Day when they host Reading.