Verbruggen was also of huge interest to Burnley but it is Roberto De Zerbi’s high flying side who have won the race to sign the 20-year-old.
Verbruggen joined Anderlecht from Dutch side NAC Breda in 2020 but only started to command a regular starting place in December last year.
The Dutch U-21 international played 24 times across all competitions last season but still won Anderlecht’s player of the season.
"He is used to playing a type of football similar to ours and he will have no problem fitting into our group," De Zerbi said.
"He has the potential to become a very important player for the club in the coming years."
Verbruggen earned his first call up to the Netherlands national team in March but is yet to make his debut at senior level.
Verbruggen is Brighton’s fourth signing of the summer after Joao Pedro, James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud.
Brighton finished sixth in the Premier League last season and will play in next season’s Europa Conference League.
