Transfer News: West Brom sign Belgium international Sebastien Pocognoli from Hannover
Saturday 12 July 2014 12:30, UK
West Bromwich Albion have signed Belgium international defender Sebastien Pocognoli for an undisclosed fee from Hannover on a three-year deal.
The 26-year-old is the Baggies' fourth signing of the summer after Joleon Lescott from Manchester City, Craig Gardner from Sunderland and most recently Chris Baird from recently-promoted Burnley.
Pocognoli has won 12 caps but missed out on a place in his country’s World Cup squad after injury saw him miss the closing weeks of the 2013-14 Bundesliga season.
He previously had spells with Genk, AZ Alkmaar and Standard Liege before joining Hannover at the start of last season.
During his time in the Netherlands, Pocognoli was part of the AZ Alkmaar side – then managed by incoming Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal – which won the 2008-9 Eredivisie title.
Coach Alan Irvine told the club's website: "Sebastien is an experienced left-back who has played at a high level for many years.
"After being named in Belgium's provisional World Cup squad, he just missed out on Brazil, mainly because he hadn't played enough games towards the end of the season.
"But he's joined us with a real hunger to prove himself at Albion and get back into the international set-up.
"We've done our due diligence on Sebastien in terms of people who have worked with him, including Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas.
"You make your own mind up about a player#s ability from watching him play but you put these calls in to find out about their personality. The feedback on Sebastien was very positive."
