Ding, Dong, Donk is a Baggie!

In a quiet deadline day for West Brom we announced that Dutch defender Ryan Donk would be joining on a season-long loan.

With the signing of Jonas Olssen wrapped up on Sunday, Mowbray stuck to his guns in refusing to go out and panic buy or spend for the sake of it. The only deal we completed was the year-long loan of Dutch centre back Ryan Donk, on a deal from AZ Alkmaar. Donk, a good friend of Gianni Zuiverloon means that the Baggies are now double Dutch at the back – Donk is a towering 6ft4in centre-back, great in the air comfortable on the ball & with good feet (heard that before – the basic requirement of a Mowbray deal!)

He has previously been linked with FC Barcelona, and in his two seasons at Alkmaar has been nurtured by Louis Van Gaal, the ex-Barca, Ajax and Holland supremo. Donk comes with a very high pedigree, and with Meite going off injured on Saturday will look to have a chance at the first team on the resumption of club football after the international break. At 22 he is clearly a huge prospect for the future, and the official club website says the loan move has the view for a permanent deal at the end.

He has been capped at U21 and was part of the successful side at last summer`s Championships, and has even earned a call up into the full Dutch squad, albeit without earning a cap. In some circles he has been touted as the next Jaap Stam, which is obviously very encouraging.

With Donk and Olssen in the defence now looks like it is deep and talented enough to withstand the Premier league barrage. Many fans were clamouring for a striker and although we reputedly bid for Tom de Sutter amongst others Mowbray clearly has faith in our front line, ably supported by our host of highly talented midfielders. The speculation is over, the season can really begin. Welcome to the Hawthorns Ryan.