West Bromwich Albion Football Club

• Nickname:The Baggies
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Steve Clarke

• Ground:The Hawthorns
• Capacity:25400

Baggies snare Dutch defender

02 Jul 2008 - 11:57:04

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West Bromwich Albion have bolstered their defensive options with the capture of Gianni Zuiverloon from Heerenveen.

The Baggies have snapped up the Netherlands Under-21 international on a three-year contract for a fee believed to be in the region of £3million.

The 21-year-old was one of the stars of the Dutch side that retained the Under-21 European Championship last year and was named in the team of the tournament.

He began his career at Feyenoord before moving on to Heerenveen in 2006.

Zuiverloon's arrival will help fill the void created by the departure of Martin Albrechtsen earlier in the week.

Albrechtsen decided to reject a new contract to remain at The Hawthorns to drop back into the Championship with Derby County.

"I think they have been slow negotiators. There has been too much uncertainty," he said on his decision to quit the Baggies despite their promotion back to the Premier League.