West Brom captain Darren Fletcher heaps praise on Jonny Evans

West Brom captain Darren Fletcher claims Jonny Evans is one of the best defenders he has ever played with.

The pair spent more than a decade together at Manchester United before Evans followed Fletcher to the Hawthorns in August. 

Albion have kept successive clean sheets in each of Evans' appearances since his £6m move from Old Trafford and Fletcher believes that is no fluke.

"Jonny is a fantastic signing. I spoke about it when he came and I was so excited when he signed," said the Scotland midfielder.

"He's a top player. A great leader and a good talker and I think it's a fantastic signing for the Albion. He's going to be a mainstay in that defence for a number of years. The clean sheets are no coincidence and there's more to come.

"He's a great lad and I can't speak highly enough of him. I knew we were getting a top, top player. One of the best defenders I've ever played with at Manchester United and now here."

Fletcher admits that once he learned of West Brom's interest in Evans, he was desperate to do all he could to persuade him to sign.

"I was constantly on the phone to him. Probably doing his head in, I was phoning and texting him every day," he said.

However, Fletcher also revealed he has now been lumbered with some additional duties since his friend moved to the West Midlands.

"I'm his personal driver too. I'm his chauffeur. That was part of the negotiations so I think he's struck lucky," he said.

"I'll pick him up and spoil him a little bit. He's always been good company, we're good friends, live very closely and families are very close so for me personally I was really happy when he came."