Defender signs... at last

10 August 2008

Albion have finally prised centre-half Abdoulaye Meite from the grip of former manager Gary Megson for ?2 million, rising by a further half a million subject to performance. An Ivory Coast International, he can play anywhere across the back line and sounds like a replacement for Martin Albrechtsen who turned down a new contract earlier in the summer to join Derby County.

The transfer has dragged on and off for what seems like months, although it may actually have been only a couple of weeks. Most recently, Tony Mowbray admitted it was "dead in the water" after Bolton refused to budge on valuation - but with Meite training with the youth team after falling out with Megson, a move always looked likely. A couple of days ago news broke he had flown back from Bolton's pre-season tour and was in talks with both ourselves and Hull City.

Meite becomes Albion's eighth signing since the end of last season, taking our total outlay to around ?16 million.

Previous Stories:

  06 August 2008:  Whoops, Mr Bougherra...

  03 August 2008:  Midfielder rumours

  31 July 2008:  Two more defenders?

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