Moore finally gets his man as Mason arrives to boost the backline
DARREN Moore is confident Mason Holgate will be “a good addition” for West Bromwich Albion after the youngster sealed a loan move from Everton.
The 22-year-old, who has made 42 appearances for the Toffees, will stay with the Baggies for the rest of the season and could play a vital part in the club’s promotion bid.
Holgate, a centre-back by trade who can also play on the right side of defence, was not available for the New Year’s Day defeat to Blackburn Rovers, but will be eligible for the FA Cup game against Wigan on Saturday.
It’s thought the competition from Baggies Premier beat off League Bournemouth rivals Leeds defender.
“I tried to bring Mason into the squad in the summer but at that stage Everton were not willing to release him,” Moore said.
“I watched him play against Salomon Rondon in the goalless draw at The Hawthorns last season and I thought he was outstanding.
“I want to get our business done as early as possible and this is a good start – I’m grateful to get him into the squad now.
“First and foremost he is a good, good player. He is quick, agile, athletic, comfortable on the ball. He’s a young, up-and-coming player with a big future.
“But he already has good Premier League experience including playing in a Merseyside derby and that is a and Championship to land the versatile real furnace to handle. He will compete for the right-back and central defensive positions. His enthusiasm to come also impressed me - he wants to play and I believe he is going to be a good addition for us.”
Holgate is Albion’s first signing of the winter transfer window and tenth, including short-term contracts, since Moore was appointed as head coach last summer.
Holgate will add competition at right-back, the one position where Albion have been exposed with Tosin Adarabioyo struggling to adjust to the demands of the Championship.
Moore has been desperately short on options at right-back having allowed Allan Nyom and rookie defender Kyle Wilson to go out on loan at the start of the season.
Adarabioyo has often been deployed as right-sided full-back while Tyrone Mears has also filled in and Matt Phillips has operated as a right wing-back.
After graduating from the Barnsley youth system, Holgate was named 2014/15 Young Player of the Year following an impressive debut season with the first team.
In July 2015 he went on trial at Manchester United and a few weeks later signed a five-year contract with Everton for a reported £2 million fee.
The Doncaster-born defender made his Toffees debut in a 1-1 draw with Spurs in August 2016. He played in 18 Premier League games in 2016/17 and a further 15 last season.
But Holgate has found it difficult to oust Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny under manager Marco Silva this term, with the last of his five Premier League appearances coming in September.