Brighton U21 coach Shannon Ruth has hailed the attitude of manager Roberto de Zerbi towards academy talent.
Ruth is delighted seeing his young players granted a chance by the Italian.
He wrote for Brighton's website: "The ultimate aim is to produce players for our first team and we've had eight academy graduates feature for the senior side this season.
"Evan Ferguson is now an established squad member, Andy Moran, Odel Offiah and Cam Peupion have made their Premier League debuts, while James Furlong, Ed Turns, Jack Hinchy and Jack Spong have all featured in cup competitions. A special mention, too, to Jack Hinshelwood who, in his first season stepping up to the U21 group, has featured on the bench in the Premier League.
"As we've seen, Roberto [De Zerbi] is keen to promote from within, with age no barrier for him. It takes a lot of courage and belief to have that outlook at the highest level, and our players take great encouragement from seeing their teammates stepping up. We take great pride when one of our U21 players gets called into the senior squad and, given we're competing at the top end of the Premier League, there is real satisfaction that we're producing players of the necessary quality and on a regular basis.
"To see so many players making the step-up speaks volumes for the pathway we have created at the club, which I believe sets us apart from our competitors. While Gary Dicker and I work with the players who make that final step from the U21s, there is plenty of work done throughout the academy, by various coaches and staff members over a number of years, to get the players to this point. Their work is invaluable and key to our continued success."