Baggies move for El Ghanassy

11 July 2012 18:47

West Brom have completed the signing of Belgium international Yassine El Ghanassy on a season-long loan with an option to buy from AA Gent, the Barclays Premier League club have confirmed.

El Ghanassy, who turns 22 on Thursday, can play either as a striker or on either wing, and he has been handed the number 10 shirt at the Hawthorns after passing a medical.

Baggies boss Steve Clarke said: "I'm delighted to welcome Yassine to the club.

"He is an exciting, young prospect who will hopefully add something different to our squad.

"This is a big move for Yassine and we'll have to be patient with him as he settles into a new country and gets to grips with the demands of the Barclays Premier League. But we believe he has got the raw talent to make an impact here."

El Ghanassy, capped twice by Belgium, scored seven goals in 37 appearances for Gent last season, helping them to third place in the Jupiler League. He was part of the side that did the league and cup double in 2010, and he has experience in both the Champions League and Europa League.

West Brom's sporting & technical director Dan Ashworth said: "Yassine is a player we have watched develop for a couple of years.

"He has shown in Belgium his ability to put defenders on the back foot and create and score goals and he is on the fringes of the national team.

"He is an exciting, young player who we hope will grow into the league and prove a real asset.

"He offers us a different option and is the type of player I am sure our supporters will warm to and get right behind."

Source: PA