Doug Loft

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Doug Loft (born December 25, 1986 in Maidstone) is a professional footballer currently contracted to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Loft, an England Schoolboy international, signed for the Seagulls in January 2006 from non-league side Hastings United, where he was spotted by then scout Dean White. Many Brighton fans were disappointed to hear that Loft was the only permanent signing they made during that transfer window, after then manager Mark McGhee and chairman Dick Knight promised to bring new faces into the club to try and avoid relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2005/06 season. The club eventually finished bottom of the table.

Loft made 3 appearances for the first-team in the 2005/06 season, he made his debut on 11 March 2006 at home to Preston, a game which finished as a 0-0 draw. Loft then played the following week again in the first-team, this time away at Loftus Road against Queens Park Rangers, this match also ended in a draw, though the score was 1-1 this time. Loft then made his 3rd appearance in the last game of the season for the Albion at Withdean in the embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Stoke, Loft came off the bench and scored Brighton's goal.

In the 2006/07 season, Loft has been on the substitute's bench seven times for the Albion, and has made a couple of starting appearances, scoring 1 goal in the 4-1 victory over Leyton Orient at Withdean. All of his appearances have been in positions other than his preferred position in centre midfield.