ALBION fans are in shock after a giant mural of Seagulls’ captain Bruno was removed.

The picture took pride of place on the side of Gelato Gusto ice cream shop on the corner of Gardner Street and Church Street in Brighton.

It  was popular among residents as well as fans – but has been painted over with another mural.

The new artwork promotes  singer Ricardo Gold’s new single Body Language.

Spanish right-back Bruno, 38, is considered a legend at the Albion and in 2017 he was honoured with the mural, which showed him wearing a crown.

Albion fans voiced their displeasure on social media as a photo of the mural being painted over started making the rounds on Twitter. 

Mark Potter said: “This is a heartbreaker. Absolutely rubbish decision.”

Ryan Elliott said: “Genuinely really, really sad. Felt like an important part of the city.”

Brett Mendoza, who took photos and posted them online, said: “So that’s it. 

“No nod to @OfficialBHAFC in the city of Brighton any more.

“I find this a bit sad.”

One fan came up with an alternative place for a new mural. Joe Scoles said: “Would be good to have some of these done around the Amex.”

The Bruno mural was part of a Sky Sports branding campaign which featured the 20 clubs that took part in the 2017/18 Premier League Season.

The image featured before and during advertisement breaks in Albion matches broadcast on Sky Sports.

It was meant to only be up for two weeks but was so popular it  kept its place in the heart of the city – until now.

Jon Adams, owner of Gelato Gusto, said he understood the fans’ frustration but wanted to do something nice for someone else.


He said: “I discovered Ricardo Gold, a new up-and-coming artist, and thought I would help him out. I let him have the space for free.


“Bruno was only meant to be up for two weeks. Maybe I created more problems for myself keeping it up so long.


“But if Albion fans have ideas for who to put on the wall next I’d be open to suggestions.”


The Bruno mural was targeted by Crystal Palace fans who threw red paint over it in November but Brighton and Hove City Council stepped in to clean it up.


Bruno has been a popular figure at the club since he was signed by the club from Valencia in 2012.
The covering of the mural comes as fans wait with bated breath to see if their captain will be offered a new contract at the end of the season.