Therry Racon is hardly a household name, not yet anyway.

Part of his signature might resemble that of a certain French superstar now plying his trade in Barcelona, rather than North London, but few people will have heard of Albion's latest loan acquisition.

That could change. Charlton's willingness to fork out a substantial six-figure sum to bring Racon to the English Championship suggests he has considerable potential but, even if he achieves little, the young central midfielder can dine out on the day he was replaced by Didier Drogba.

It was three years ago that Racon made his one and only appearance for French giants Marseille, in a 1-0 home defeat by Metz. Drogba was on the bench and took over from him.

"Drogba was the star of the team and I was the little youngster just starting but, honestly, he was also one of the most accessible people in the club," Racon recalled.

"He would talk with us, try to put us at ease. Aside from being a great player, he was a really good person. On the pitch he would give me advice. All you can do is listen to a player like that.

"When you have started your career at Marseille it's hard to leave. It was a dream come true to get into the first team.

"Marseille is a really good club, the most popular in France. It's equivalent to Manchester United or Liverpool over here.

"It was a super experience. There were a lot of good players. When you're a youngster coming out of the academy, it's pretty hard to win a place but I enjoyed it there."

They may still, theoretically, only be one league apart, but there is a world of difference between Racon and his former team-mate Drogba in stature, both physically and in terms of notoriety.

The slightly-built Racon, nevertheless, hopes to follow in the footsteps of the Chelsea centre forward by successfully adjusting to the rigours of the English game.

"English football is very different compared to French football," he said. "It's quicker and stronger but I think I am ready for it.

"I've had six months here now and I understand what is required. I think I can adapt.

"It's true at the start I was learning but that didn't take long. After a month, maybe a month-and-a-half, I understsood how to play, using your arms, the refereeing, the atmosphere, everything.

"The refereeing is different. There are certain fouls that get penalised in France but here there's no whistle."

Racon has been signed by Albion for the rest of the season, a deal covering the play-offs as well if required.

The Withdean faithful will see a very different type of player on his debut against Swindon today to Adam El-Abd, his injured predecessor in the centre of the park.

"I'm a midfielder who tries to go forward and contribute in attack," he said. "I'll try to take a lot of risks.

"We all start out as strikers when we're kids. I've played a bit on the left, a bit on the right, but where I play best is as an attacking midfielder.

"I didn't want a club who rely on physical strength and who put the ball in the air all the time. You can't expect that from me. I'm a player who wants the ball on the ground.

"When I knew Brighton play the way they do, I wanted to come. I like the ball, to pass and move, and I've been told Brighton play like this. That is why I chose them.

"I don't really know the Third Division in England but I've seen some games on television. It's a good level and I want to improve."