The Championship club, who parted company with former manager Gus Poyet recently, have inducted the former Barcelona player into the newly created role ahead of their third season in a row at the second tier.

Garcia, who played for Spain at various youth levels, has only held one managerial position in the past, coaching Maccabi Tel Aviv last season and winning the Israeli Ligat Ha'al in the process. 

He has also worked as a youth coach at Barcelona, having played all of his career in Spain. 

Garcia said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to work in English football for the first time. Brighton and Hove Albion is one of the most exciting and progressive clubs in the country."
 
The club's chairman Tony Bloom added: "We are delighted to have Oscar here to help us prepare for the new season and plan what promises to be another exciting campaign for the club."

Garcia, whose first task will be to oversee pre-season training, will begin his new post on Thursday.