During pre-season 2011, Poyet twice broke the club's record transfer-fee in signing Will Buckley and Craig Mackail-Smith, and also brought in former Spain and Valencia playmaker Vicente on a free transfer.
During pre-season 2011, Poyet made three notable signings, twice breaking the record transfer-fee paid out by Brighton to sign Will Buckley and then Craig Mackail-Smith. On 2 September, Poyet signed former Spain and Valencia playmaker Vicente on a free transfer.