New boy Ivanovic ticks all right boxes for Bilic
the club this summer, with Albion planning more incoming and outgoing business before the transfer LBION have confirmed Branislav deadline arrives next month. Ivanovic as their sixth Bilic opted for a back three in Albion’s permanent signing of the opening-day defeat to Leicester, summer. with Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi lining
The Baggies have recruited the veteran up alongside Dara O’Shea. defender on a one-year deal, Ahmed Hegazi was an unused substitute, after he left Zenit St Petersburg following while new signing Kipre the clinching of the Russian wasn’t involved at all. domestic title. Bilic believes the arrival of
Ivanovic, who is 36, played 35 Ivanovic could signal the end of the times in all competitions last season business Albion do in terms of for Zenit, including in their Champions their defence and explained League campaign, and netted he views him as a centrehalf four goals. He had been in Russia option, rather than a since leaving Chelsea in 2017, where right-back, where he he became a club legend and won played for so long while at titles domestically and in Europe. Stamford Bridge. Now, the Serb returns to the Premier “We all know Ivanovic, League to provide quality, his career... but I also experience and the leadership skills know Ivanovic Slaven Bilic is keen to inject into his from the last group. couple of He will follow Matheus Pereira, years Cedric Kipre, Grady Diangana, David because of
Button and Callum Robinson into my many
Afriends when I worked in Russia,” Bilic said. “I know how he plays. “I know his character. For me, at Chelsea he played right-back. Now, we’re getting Ivanovic as a centreback. “We’re getting him for his experience, for his quality and the influence he’ll have on the pitch and in the dressing room. Not only centrebacks, not only defenders, will have the opportunity to learn from him.
“He ticked all the boxes. I’m delighted the job is done.”
Ivanovic added: “The Premier League is the best league in the world.
“I need to challenge myself and I am ready for the challenge. I am really happy to be back playing in the Premier League.
“I hope I am going to be successful here.
“I have a lot of ambition and I want to prove a lot of things. I will give everything for the team.”
Meanwhile, West Brom will stay patient as they look to secure their ideal striker signing.
There remains just under three weeks to go of the summer transfer window, but Premier League clubs can bring in players from EFL clubs until October 15.
Albion remain keen on Huddersfield Town forward Karlan Grant and are hopeful an agreement can be struck with the Terriers over the structuring of a deal that would bring the player to The Hawthorns.
“We don’t need numbers – we have numbers,” said Bilic. “If one comes then probably one will have to go, ideally. We don’t need numbers.
“Unless we can get someone that I, or we, think gives us something we don’t have, then what’s the point?
“I would rather wait, I would rather wait to get the proper one, the one we want, than get one just for the sake of doing it.”