Albion stalwart Paul Robinson has urged summer signing Gianni Zuiverloon to stay at Albion – even if bigger clubs start chasing him.

Scouts from England’s largest clubs have reportedly taken an interest in the young Dutchman, thanks to his starring performances early in his Baggies career.

Robinson believes the 22-year-old should avoid having his head turned and consider the risks of moving on too soon.

The long-serving defender said: “For me ‘Gio’ has got everything. He is quick, athletic, has great reading of the game, he can use the ball well and get up and down the line.

“What more do you want from a full-back? He is 22 now and he has got a great future ahead of him – there is no doubt in my mind. I’m just hoping that the big clubs stay away and don’t take him away from us.

“You see a lot of young lads now go away from clubs like ours and they’re not playing.

“Probably the most disappointing thing about football now is when you see quality young lads go away from a team and then don’t play regular first team football like they have been.

“I don’t want to see the young lads do that any more. I want to see them be brave and make the decision to stay at the club where they have been playing and improve more, until they know they can go to a big club and play week in, week out.”

Zuiverloon arrived at The Hawthorns in the summer in a £3.2million summer transfer from Dutch Eredivisie side Herenveen. He has become an instant hit, with some classy performances at right-back in a re-shaped Baggies defence.

His impressive start has not surprised Robinson, who got a sneak preview of his new colleague’s talents.

He said: “I had seen him play for the under-21s against England and in that epic penalty shoot-out.

“He looked like a quality player then. I missed the pre-season game against Herenveen last season when he played at right-back but the lads said he looked very strong and quick on that day.

“When I saw him in training there was no doubt in my mind that this lad could be an exceptional player and he had been first class for us.”

“He is a great lad around the place. He is only young but we try to make everyone feel welcome as soon as possible and the laughing and the joking and banter between the younger and the older lads is great.

“Everyone enjoys it. I think every play at the club at the moment would say it’s great to be around the buzz and getting three points gives you a bit more of a buzz.”