Baggies had target watched for years

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has revealed he has been monitoring the progress of new signing Ryan Donk for the past few years.

West Brom have added the young defender as cover for current central defenders Leon Barnett and Abdoulaye Meite, and he has joined for a season-long loan deal, which may well turn into a permanent deal if all goes to plan.

Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail: "We've signed a young defender with a good pedigree whose talent has been nurtured for the last two years by Louis van Gaal (AZ Alkmaar's manager).

"Ryan's a player I've been monitoring for a few years and, alongside Gianni, he was part of the Dutch Under-21 team which won the European Championships last year.

"Although Ryan's still only 22, he has a huge physical presence and I'm delighted to have added him to our defensive options."

Mowbray added: "Leon Barnett and Abdoulaye Meite have done very well in central defence but everyone saw on Saturday (against Bolton) how stretched we were in that department when Abou went off injured and Gianni had to move into the middle.

"We've now got plenty of competition for places in that area and I'm sure the fact Ryan knows Gianni really well will help him settle in quickly."