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Deniz Undav has said he is happy playing football again after a difficult first season in English football.

The German striker arrived at Brighton having scored 45 goals in 68 games for Belgium outfit Union SG, but failed to live up to his previous goal-scoring form in England.

The early season form of Danny Welbeck and post-World Cup emergence of Evan Ferguson restricted the 26-year-old’s playing time, leaving him with three cup goals (two in the FA Cup and one in the EFL Cup) in his first 22 appearances for the club – only five of which he had started.

The striker’s lack-of-form came to a head at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. Undav was brought off the bench in the 75th minute and failed to make an impact; lacking any energy, quality or presence in the game.

It was Roberto De Zerbi’s faith in the centre-forward that reignited the fire and since that fateful day at Wembley, Undav has looked like a new player.

The centre forward’s poor game was best symbolised by a heavy first touch whilst running though on goal, squandering a golden opportunity to take the lead in extra time.

It was after this game, that he realised something needed to change.

Undav said: “I think it started after Manchester United at Wembley. I had a conversation with the gaffer [Roberto De Zerbi], a hard one to be fair, but it made things click in my head. Since then, I have got better and better. I knew what he wanted from me then. I was becoming more confident then I was at the beginning.

“I think its credit to him, because he is a gaffer who will always tell you the truth.”

Deniz Undav 'smiling' again after difficult first Premier League season