Juan Carlos Oblitas and Percy Rojas were not the only World Cup stars that Brighton & Hove Albion tried to sign in their glory years. According to Wikipedia, Prohaska was a deep-lying playmaker who is considered one of the best Austrian footballers of all time.
In January 1980, the Daily Express carried reports that the Seagulls were swooping for Prohaska’s services:
Brighton are set to make a spectacular swoop for Austrian World Cup star Herbert Prohaska (writes Ray Bradshaw).
The 24-year-old KF Austria (Vienna) midfield ace flies over for talks with Brighton chairman Mike Bamber on Tuesday after Albion moved in quickly to beat off a challenge from Leeds.
Brighton secretary Ken Calver confirmed last night that negotiations for Prohaska’s transfer have been concluded and they hope to clinch the deal next week.
Said Calver: “We have been given permission by his club to speak to him and we are confident we can persuade him to join us.”
Prohaska, who has won 35 caps for his country, is expected to sign a £250,000 deal if terms are satisfactory.
Brighton have collected £500,000 in transfer sales in the last two months and will still have cash in hand for another big signing if they land Prohaska.
Sadly, it was Inter Milan that proved to be Prohaska’s destination in 1980. He joined Roma in 1982 before returning to Austria Vienna year later. For his country, he earned 83 caps and played in both the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.
The Goldstone Wrap 